CORONARY GUIDEWIRES

Abstract

The choice of coronary guidewires is one of the essential elements in the catheterization lab procedures. However, literature data about this topic are still lacking. The choice of a guidewire must be carried out according to the anatomy of the vessel, type of lesion, and technique that will be used for its treatment. The purpose of the wire is a way of being alone to reach the end of the vessel. Indeed, crossing the lesions atraumatically and providing support for interventional device are likewise key elements of the procedure. The basic guidewire is composed of four parts: a central core, a distal tip, covering, and coating. From a general point of view, guidewires are different for two basic characteristics: diameter and length. However, the technology involved in engineering guidewires includes a selection of materials, design of the configuration and definition of the weight or load. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to describe contemporary coronary guidewires in order to optimize their utilization for percutaneous coronary intervention.