What is the guidewire traversal test?
- The guidewire traversal test is an attempt to pass a guidewire across a thrombosed vessel before lysis.
- If the wire can be successfully passed across the occlusion, the clot is more likely to be acute and will probably lyse.
- If the guidewire traversal test fails, the occlusion is more likely to be chronic and less responsive to lytic agents.
- An end-hole catheter, positioned proximal to the clot, may be used to deliver lytic agents and soften the clot to facilitate wire traversal.
- When a wire has been passed, an infusion catheter can be placed. Placement of an infusion catheter within the bulk of the clot helps lend specificity to the lysis procedure and may reduce the overall time required for lysis.
The guidewire traversal test is a medical procedure used to assess the ability of a patient’s coronary arteries to accommodate interventional devices, such as guidewires and catheters, during cardiac catheterization. During this test, a guidewire is carefully threaded through the coronary arteries to evaluate their size, tortuosity (curvature), and any potential obstructions or abnormalities that could affect the success of further procedures, such as angioplasty or stent placement. This test helps cardiologists plan and perform interventions with greater precision and safety.
