Abstract: A guiding catheter used for coronary angioplasty procedures includes an plurality of ports in the wall of the guiding catheter. A moveable member is disposed in the lumen or wall of the guiding catheter and is selectively movable between a first position blocking the ports and a second position not blocking the ports. The moveable member is shown as an elongated stylet, a hollow tube with matching ports or a plurality of inflatable balloons. The catheter is positioned adjacent to an artery to be examined. The ports are blocked by the moveable member while contrast medium is injected through the guide catheter to the artery. The ports are opened otherwise to enable the flow of blood between the catheter and the artery.

Abstract: A guiding catheter used for coronary angioplasty procedures includes an inflatable bag on the inner wall of the guiding catheter. The guiding catheter directs a guide wire for a balloon catheter to a coronary artery for opening a blockage in the artery. When the inflatable bag is inflated it pinches the guide wire against the inner wall of the guiding catheter. This procedure enables the guide wire to be secured in or near a coronary artery while the balloon catheter is exchanged. A hypotube runs along the inner wall of the guiding catheter from an inflation syringe near the catheter hub to the inflatable bag. Preferably saline solution is injected into the inflatable bag.