Abstract: A self-venting balloon dilatation catheter and method for producing the same having a catheter tubing including a first lumen and a second lumen. An expandable balloon is positioned at a distal end of the catheter tubing. The first lumen is for a guide wire and the second lumen is in communication with the interior of the balloon. The balloon is expanded by filling the balloon with pressurized fluid via the second lumen. An air vent within the catheter tubing purges air from the balloon when the balloon is filled with fluid. Air purged via the air vent first moves substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the catheter tubing and then along the longitudinal axis to an opening at a distal end of the catheter tubing. A cylindrically marker band is secured around the distal end of the catheter tuving, and another cylindrical marker band is secured around the catheter tubing inside the expandable balloon.