Catheter for percutaneous transradial approach

A method of positioning a straight distal portion of a catheter for guiding a balloon catheter in coaxial alignment with a downwardly directed right coronary artery of a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing a catheter comprising a generally tubular shaft having a distal straight portion, a proximal straight portion, and a curved portion;
• the proximal straight portion of the tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• the distal straight portion of the tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• the curved portion of the tubular shaft having a distal end fixed to the proximal end of the distal straight portion of the tubular shaft and a proximal end fixed to the distal end of the proximal straight portion of the tubular shaft;
• the curved portion of the tubular shaft including a tertiary curve disposed proximate the proximal end of the curved portion and a primary curve disposed proximate the distal end of the curved portion;
• the curved portion of the tubular shaft further including a secondary curve disposed between the tertiary curve and the primary curve;
• advancing the catheter through a cardiovascular system of the patient following a percutaneous transradial approach until the curved portion of the catheter is disposed within an aorta of the patient;
• positioning the curved portion of the catheter so that the tertiary curve of the curved portion rests against a wall of the aorta opposite an ostium of the right coronary artery, and the distal straight portion of the tubular shaft is disposed proximate the ostium of the right coronary artery;
• applying a pulling force to the proximal end of the proximal straight portion of the tubular shaft;
• and
• deflecting the primary curve of the curved portion of the tubular shaft so that the distal straight portion of the catheter is co-axially aligned with the downwardly directed right coronary artery.

A method of positioning a straight distal portion of a catheter for guiding a balloon catheter in coaxial alignment with a downwardly directed left coronary artery of a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing a catheter comprising a generally tubular shaft having a distal straight portion, a proximal straight portion, and a curved portion;
• the proximal straight portion of the tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• the distal straight portion of the tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• the curved portion of the tubular shaft having a distal end fixed to the proximal end of the distal straight portion of the tubular shaft and a proximal end fixed to the distal end of the proximal straight portion of the tubular shaft;
• the curved portion of the tubular shaft including a tertiary curve disposed proximate the proximal end of the curved portion and a primary curve disposed proximate the distal end of the curved portion;
• the curved portion of the tubular shaft further including a secondary curve disposed between the tertiary curve and the primary curve;
• advancing the catheter through a cardiovascular system of the patient following a percutaneous transradial approach until the curved portion of the catheter is disposed within an aorta of the patient;
• positioning the curved portion of the catheter so that the tertiary curve of the curved portion rests against a wall of the aorta opposite an ostium of the left coronary artery and the distal straight portion of the tubular shaft is disposed proximate the ostium of the left coronary artery;
• applying a pulling force to the proximal end of the proximal straight portion of the tubular shaft;
• and
• deflecting the curved portion of the tubular shaft so that the distal straight portion of the catheter is co-axially aligned with the downwardly directed left coronary artery.