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Abstract

A perfusion-type dilatation catheter which can be rapidly exchanged for another catheter without the need for exchange wires or guidewire extension wires. The dilatation catheter has an elongated catheter body with a distal guidewire port in the distal end of the catheter and a proximal guidewire port at least 10 cm but not more than 50 cm from the distal port. The catheter body has a first inflation lumen which extends from the proximal end of the catheter body to the interior of a dilatation balloon adjacent the distal end of the catheter body. A second, much shorter inner lumen is disposed between the proximal and distal guidewire ports and is adapted to slidably receive a guidewire. A plurality of perfusion ports are provided both proximal and distal to the balloon which are in fluid communication with the second inner lumen so that when the balloon is inflated within a patient's vascular system, blood will flow through the proximal perfusion ports and the second inner lumen and out the distal perfusion ports to minimize ischemic conditions distal to the catheter. A stiffening member is disposed within the catheter body proximal to the proximal guidewire port to provide improved pushability. The distal portion of the inflation lumen should have a transverse cross-sectional area of about 3 to about 20.times.10.sup.-5 inch.sup.2 and should not be greater than one-third the cross-sectional area of the perfusion lumen.

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