Modification of the No-Touch Technique during Renal Artery Stenting

Renal artery stenting has been established as the primary form of renal artery stenosis revascularization procedure. The no-touch technique is proposed in order to avoid renal artery injury and atheroembolism during renal artery stenting. We describe a modification of the no-touch technique by using an over-the-wire (OTW) balloon or a Quickcross 0.014′′ catheter with a 0.014′′ coronary wire inside, instead of the rigid 0.035′′ J wire. The reported technique, while it prevents direct contact of the guiding catheter with the aortic wall, at the same time it allows for a closer contact with the renal arterial ostium and a more favorable guiding catheter orientation, compared to what is achieved with the use of the more rigid 0.035′′ J wire, thus improving visualization, reducing the amount of contrast required, and potentially decreasing complications.