Method for removing and replacing a coronary balloon catheter during coronary angioplasty

A method for removing and replacing a coronary balloon catheter during coronary angioplasty, comprising the steps of:

• inserting a guiding catheter containing an auxiliary balloon catheter having a balloon near the distal end and a port at the proximal end thereof into the opening of a coronary artery;
• inserting a guidewire through the guiding catheter into the coronary artery;
• advancing a first coronary balloon catheter along the guidewire through the guiding catheter into the coronary artery;
• withdrawing the first coronary balloon catheter from the coronary artery along the guidewire into the guiding catheter until the distal end of the first coronary balloon catheter is proximal to the balloon on the auxiliary balloon catheter;
• injecting fluid through the port of the auxiliary balloon catheter to inflate the balloon on said auxiliary balloon catheter;
• withdrawing the first coronary balloon catheter completely from the guiding catheter;
• advancing a second coronary balloon catheter along the guidewire through the guiding catheter until the distal end of the second coronary balloon catheter is proximal to the balloon on the auxiliary balloon catheter;
• withdrawing fluid through the port of the auxiliary balloon catheter to deflate the balloon on said auxiliary catheter to provide clearance for the second coronary balloon catheter to advance into the opening of the coronary artery;
• and
• further advancing the second coronary balloon catheter into the coronary artery.