What are guidewires used for in interventional procedures?

• A. To inject contrast material
• B. To navigate and position catheters within blood vessels
• C. To measure blood pressure
• D. To suture incisions

Answer: (B)

Guidewires play a crucial role in interventional procedures, primarily serving to navigate and position catheters within blood vessels. During these procedures, a guidewire is introduced into the vascular system, often through a catheter. The guidewire provides a solid pathway for subsequent devices, such as catheters, to follow. This allows for precise placement within complex vascular anatomy.

The use of guidewires enhances the ability to maneuver through tortuous or narrow vessels, facilitating access to specific anatomical sites. Once positioned correctly, a catheter can be threaded over the guidewire and advanced to the desired location for further interventions, such as angioplasty or stent placement.

Other options, such as injecting contrast material or measuring blood pressure, are typically performed by other specialized devices or techniques rather than by guidewires themselves. Additionally, suturing incisions pertains to post-procedural closure and is unrelated to the function of guidewires within the context of interventional imaging. This emphasizes the essential and specific role that guidewires occupy in facilitating vascular interventions.