Modified heparin-bonded catheter for cannulation of the coronary sinus from the femoral vein.

Serial sampling from the coronary sinus is an attractive technique for drawing blood samples to be used in the characterization of procoagulant activity during coronary interventions. We have developed a modified Simmons catheter for rapid cannulation of the coronary sinus from the femoral approach. The catheter design incorporates heparin bonding and distal side-holes to minimize blood sampling artifacts. Coronary sinus cannulation was performed via the femoral approach in 186 patients by use of a multipurpose catheter (n = 8), an unmodified Simmons I or II catheter (n = 64), or the modified Simmons catheter (n = 114). The coronary sinus was cannulated successfully with the modified Simmons catheter in 97% of patients; the success rate with the unmodified Simmons II catheter was 87% (P = 0.02). The modified Simmons catheter represents an improved technique for cannulation of the coronary sinus from the femoral vein.