| abstract |
A pressure monitoring guidewire and method of using the same for a coronary procedure such as angioplasty, angiography, or valvuloplasty. The guidewire has a main tubular member and a more flexible tubular extension with one or more pressure monitoring ports on the distal end thereof. The distal end portion of the guidewire is advanced beyond the distal end of the dilatation catheter, with the pressure monitoring port in a portion of the coronary anatomy where pressure is to be monitored. With the guidewire so positioned, the pressure in the desired portion of the coronary anatomy is measured at the proximal end of the guidewire through the proximal opening in the main tubular member. |