Guidewires are interventional procedures wires used to guide access, maneuver, or work through structures (e.g. vessels, urinary or biliary system).
They come in different shapes, lengths, diameters, stiffness, and hydrophilicity, and are classified according to their main use into:
access wires
maneuver wires
rail wires
The diameter usually ranges from 0.010–0.038 inches, but the most common ones are 0.014, 0.018, and 0.035-inch1.
Length in centimeters (cm) from 20 to 260 cm
Guidewires generally come with a torque device and may have a curved or straight tip, depending on the vessel or structure to navigate.
Solid guide: Wire stainless steel or metallic alloy
wrapped guide wire: Inner stainless-steel core, coiled wire, outer polymer coating.
Both hydrophilic and hydrophobic wires are used for vascular access.
less thrombogenic compared to hydrophobic wires3
coated with plastic sheath and hydrophilic material for maximum lubricity
should be kept wet in a saline bowel to activate the hydrophilic properties
hard to manipulate - sticky when dry and slippery when wet
useful when low resistance is needed 2 - smooth gliding through small vessels
needs a torque device for easy manipulation and pinning
coated with Teflon or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) 4 - increase lubricity and decreases the friction
does not prevent thrombus formation around the wire, which can be stripped and migrate during manipulation
easy to manipulate and grip - do not get sticky
offer resistance through narrow areas
may contain heparin coating to reduce thrombogenicity
some hydrophobic wires (e.g. Bentson wire), can be soaked in heparinized saline to ease exchanges with tools and catheters, and to prevent thrombus formation around the wire2
It is made of a stainless-steel inner core only.
Advantage of solid guide wire
Reduced catheter tip flaring.
Reduced blood clotting over guide wire.
Reduced vessel or lumen abrasion.
Disadvantage of solid guide wire: lack of versatility.
Wrapped guide wire
It is made of stainless-steel inner core, covered by coiled wire, and an outer plastic covering layer.
Advantages of wrapped guide wire: flexible.
Disadvantages of wrapped guide wire
Catheter tip flaring.
Blood clotting over guide wire due to large and rough surface area which cause thrombogenicity.
Vessel or lumen abrasion.
It is type of guide wire with smallest outer diameter measuring in range of 0.001 - 0.018 inch
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It is used to navigate very narrow and tortuous vessels.
It is used in micro access interventional procedures.
It is used with micro catheters.
گایدوایر آنژیوگرافی یکی از ابزارهای حیاتی در پزشکی مدرن است که برای تشخیص و درمان بیماری‌های عروقی استفاده می‌شود. این ابزار که به شکل یک سیم نازک و انعطاف‌پذیر است، به پزشکان کمک می‌کند تا بتوانند دستگاه‌ها و کاتترهای مختلف را به دقت به محل مورد نظر در داخل عروق خونی هدایت کنند. اهمیت گایدوایر آنژیوگرافی در افزایش دقت و کاهش خطرات ناشی از جراحی‌های عروقی به طور قابل توجهی مشهود است. در این مقاله، به بررسی دقیق این ابزار پزشکی، نحوه استفاده از آن در آنژیوگرافی، کاربردها، مزایا و معایب آن خواهیم پرداخت. همچنین به سوالات متداولی که ممکن است درباره گایدوایر آنژیوگرافی مطرح شود، پاسخ خواهیم داد.
An angiographic guidewire is a thin, flexible wire used in vascular imaging procedures and invasive treatments. This tool allows doctors to precisely guide catheters and other devices to different points inside the blood vessels. Angiography guidewire is always made of resistant and flexible materials such as nitinol or stainless steel.
This tool has different tips, each of which is designed for use in specific situations. Some guidewires have very soft, flexible tips that are used for traversing narrow, tortuous vessels, while others have stiffer tips that are better suited for traversing larger, smoother vessels. Guidewires are produced in different sizes and diameters to meet the needs of different patients and different conditions.
In angiography, guidewires play a very important role. Angiography is an imaging method used to examine blood vessels and diagnose problems such as blockages, stenosis, and aneurysms. In this method, the angiography guidewire is guided into the blood vessels through a catheter to reach the desired location.
One of the key steps in using an angiographic guidewire is choosing the right type of guidewire. Based on the condition of the patient and the desired location, the doctor should choose a guidewire that has the appropriate flexibility and resistance. The guidewire acts as a guide for the catheter and other devices and is precisely guided to the desired location. After reaching the desired location, the catheter passes over the guidewire and is guided into the blood vessels.
Guidewire angiography is used in many medical fields and plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases. One of the main uses of this tool is in angioplasty. In this method, the guidewire helps the doctors to guide the catheter and the balloon precisely to the site of the coronary artery blockage and open the blockage.
Angioplasty
One of the most important applications of angiography guidewire is in angioplasty. In this method, the guidewire is first inserted into the vein through a small needle and then used as a guide for the catheter and balloon. With the help of the balloon, fat deposits and plaques that have narrowed the vein are pressed against the vein wall and the vein channel is opened. In some cases, after angioplasty, a metal stent is also placed in the opened area to prevent the vessel from closing again.
Treatment of aneurysms and vascular strictures
Aneurysm means the abnormal widening of a blood vessel and stenosis means the abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel. Guidewires help doctors guide special devices to the aneurysm or stenosis and fix these problems using various methods such as coiling or stenting.
Imaging methods
GUIDEWIRE IS ALSO USED IN IMAGING METHODS SUCH AS MRI AND CT ANGIOGRAPHY. BY USING THE GUIDEWIRE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE EXACT POSITION OF THE MRI COILS OR THE CONTRAST MATERIAL AND OBTAIN BETTER QUALITY IMAGES OF THE VESSELS. THESE IMAGES HELP DOCTORS MAKE A MORE ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS OF VASCULAR DISEASES.
Non-invasive treatment methods
Guidewire is also used in non-invasive treatment methods such as laser therapy and ultrasound. In these procedures, the guidewire acts as a guide for the laser or ultrasound probe, allowing doctors to precisely access the target tissues and perform the treatment.
Vascular biopsy
In some cases, for the accurate diagnosis of vascular diseases, the doctor needs to take samples of vascular tissue. The guidewire is used as a guide for the biopsy needle and helps the doctor to accurately remove the tissue sample from the desired site.
Guidewire angiography has several advantages that make it a vital tool in medicine. One of the main advantages of this tool is increasing the accuracy in guiding catheters and medical devices to the desired location. This allows doctors to operate more accurately and minimize the risks of invasive surgeries.
Another advantage of guidewire angiography is reducing operation time and improving treatment results. By using this tool, doctors can quickly and accurately direct catheters and devices to the desired location and perform therapeutic operations. This reduces the operation time and increases the speed of recovery of patients.
Despite the many advantages, guidewire angiography also has disadvantages that should be considered. One of the main disadvantages of this tool is the need for high experience and skill of the doctor to use it. Doctors must have passed special training courses to be able to use guidewire angiography correctly.
Other disadvantages include risks of vascular damage and possible complications. If the guidewire is not guided correctly, it may cause damage to the vessel walls and create new problems. Also, some patients may be allergic to the components of Guidewire, which should also be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the uses of guidewire angiography?
GUIDEWIRE ANGIOGRAPHY IS USED IN MANY MEDICAL FIELDS, INCLUDING IN ANGIOPLASTY TO UNBLOCK CORONARY ARTERIES, TREAT ANEURYSMS AND VASCULAR STRICTURES, AND INCREASE THE ACCURACY OF IMAGING PROCEDURES SUCH AS MRI AND CT ANGIOGRAPHY.
How to avoid the risks and disadvantages of guidewire angiography?
By choosing experienced and skilled doctors, using quality equipment and strictly following medical instructions, possible risks and disadvantages of guidewire angiography can be avoided.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website angiographic guide wire.