Use of angioplasty guidewire for technically difficult angiography

A new technique for negotiating severe vessel tortuosity or stenosis is described whereby a PTCA guidewire is initially used to cross the tortuosity or stenosed area. After introduction of a long-tipped Sones catheter over the PTCA wire and past the stenosis, the latter is exchanged for the usual 0.035-in guidewire. The Sones catheter is then removed and angiography proceeds as usual.