A Review of Available Angioplasty Guiding Catheters, Wires and Balloons – Making the Right Choice

Abstract

The basic equipment involved in percutaneous coronary interventions – guiding catheters, guide wires and dilation catheters (balloons) – have undergone significant evolution which has allowed for improvements in procedural success and safety. The coronary interventionalist should possess a thorough working knowledge of the available equipment and the ability to select specific equipment for a given case based on the coronary anatomy, lesion characteristics and the complexity of the planned intervention. Equipment selection is often the difference between a straightforward intervention and a technically challenging one that may result in complications.