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Abstract

A method and the apparatus for retrograde catheterization of the venous tree of the lower extremity by introducing the catheter percutaneously through one of superficial veins of the upper extremity (forearm) of the human body and advancing the catheter in a retrograde fashion between the valve cusps in a patient awake and kept in erect posture enabling to perform descending venography to evaluate all types of chronic venous insufficiency. An angiocatheter is introduced in a superficial vein in the forearm and a guidewire having a `J` tip with movable core is inserted into said angiocatheter and advanced within the superficial vein in forearm. While leaving the guidewire in place angiocatheter is removed and replaced with a vessel dilator and site of entry is dilated around the guidewire. Then the vessel dilator is removed and an elongated catheter having diameter sufficiently small enough to pass unobstructed through the superficial vein is introduced into the peripheral vein of the forearm. The guidewire is introduced from the superficial vein through superior vena cava, right atrium of heart, inferior vena cava and into the desired iliac vein. Along the guidewire catheter is advanced. Then onwards catheter is advanced between the cusps of the valve encountered using the balloon inflation and deflation method described in the art to a desired level into the femoral veins in the thigh or beyond if necessary. Thus the proximal and distal valves in the venous tree of the lower extremity is examined by performing descending venography by injecting X-ray contrasting fluid through the catheter or if the venous insufficiency is due to venous obstructive disease due to venous blood clots it could be retrieved and removed at a desired proximal site in the venous tree.

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First Claim