Use of the Doppler guide wire for intraluminal diagnosis to facilitate coronary intervention

The FloWire Doppler flow guide wire has recently been approved for intracoronary application, joining angioscopy and intravascular ultrasonography as new methods for transluminal evaluation of coronary lesions. The 0.018-inch FloWire provides a high-fidelity continuous Doppler signal. Velocity measurements are continuously displayed on the FloMap monitor in a gray-scale spectral pattern, providing quantitation of an entire spectral distribution of flow velocities. This torquable, steerable guide wire can be used in small and distal branches of the coronary tree. We describe the clinical use of the FloWire Doppler guide wire in three patients who had coronary anatomic abnormalities that could not be assessed by other techniques. In each case the Doppler guide wire facilitated analysis of the physiologic significance of the coronary stenosis. The information gained was crucial in selecting safe and effective treatment for these patients.