Miniaturization of catheter systems for angiography

Miniature techniques offer many advantages for performance of routine angiography, as well as invasive vascular procedures. On the basis of the authors' experience with over 16,000 diagnostic and interventional procedures, this report describes the equipment and methods used for miniangiography. Development of sturdy, high-flow 3-5-F catheters and 0.014-0.018-inch guide wires, combined with the use of small needle puncture techniques, has improved the safety of angiography and intervention such that outpatient procedures are now routine. Miniature catheter systems are now preferable to larger catheter systems in most instances.