Although performing rotational atherectomy (RA) requires guidewire exchange for the dedicated guidewire, RotaWire guidewire (Boston Scientific) exhibits much lower performance than conventional guidewire. Consequently, there are times when RotaWire cannot be advanced past the lesion independently or using a microcatheter exchange technique, rendering RA impossible. We present a case of a heavily calcified, device-uncrossable, and non-expansible chronic total occlusion lesion successfully revascularized with RA over RG3 guidewire (Asahi Intecc), which has a length of 330 cm, hydrophilic coating, and a 0.010-inch-long shaft. RG3 provided excellent cross-ability and RA could also be performed over RG3 without guidewire exchange for the RotaWire.
Keywords: Calcified lesion; Chronic total occlusion; RG3 guidewire; Rotational atherectomy.