A catheter and guide wire exchange system including a catheter (30) having a guide wire lumen (46) with a guide way (48) extending along the length of a stiffened proximal shaft portion, and a guide member (32) slidably disposed about the proximal shaft for directing a guide wire (15) into or out of the guide way (48) and the guide wire lumen (46). The guide member (32) may be slid along the proximal shaft portion and the guide wire (15) in zipper-like fashion so that the guide wire (15) is contained within the guide wire lumen (46) distal to the guide member (32) and with the guide wire (15) and catheter (30) being separated proximal of the guide member (32).
