Guide catheter system for an angioplasty balloon catheter

摘要

The present invention relates to a guide catheter system for guiding an angioplasty balloon catheter into a patient's vascular system. The guide catheter system includes a guide catheter and a distal guide catheter extension tube. The guide catheter constitutes an elongated tube, while the guide catheter extension constitutes a distal, smaller diameter extension for the guide catheter. The guide catheter extension is adapted to extend from the guide catheter to an extent possibly sufficient to reach the stenosis in a coronary artery. A fixed wire angioplasty balloon catheter is advanced through the guide catheter and guide catheter extension to the stenosis for treatment thereof. Efficient and easy exchange of the balloon catheter is achieved because the guide catheter extension remains in place when the balloon catheter is withdrawn proximally, so that a path remains to guide another balloon catheter to the stenosis for treatment thereof.