The use of pressure-volume curves to assess the mechanism and adequacy of stenosis dilatation by balloon angioplasty.

This report introduces a new technique for monitoring and understanding the mechanical events taking place during coronary balloon angioplasty. A standard inflation syringe is instrumented with transducers to record intra-balloon pressure and volume during stenosis dilatation. The theoretical and practical aspects of obtaining and interpreting PTCA "pressure-volume" curves are described. Based on mechanical principles, this method may provide the PTCA operator with information regarding the stiffness and resilience of each stenosis, the mechanism of dilatation, and a measure of adequacy of lumen enlargement even before the balloon is deflated.