Volcano Launches Valet Microcatheter in the United States and Europe

March 14, 2013—Volcano Corporation (San Diego, CA) announced the launch of the Valet microcatheter in the United States and Europe. The Valet microcatheter is used for guidewire support, wire exchange, and contrast injections during complex coronary and peripheral interventional procedures, particularly for highly stenosed lesions.

Valet incorporates the company's VeriTorque technology and a shapeable distal tip to help interventionists precisely control and position a guidewire in distal and tortuous anatomy. Valet also features a seamless, powder-coated shaft and reinforced layers of microwire wind on the proximal segment of the catheter to enhance guidewire crossing support. The Valet microcatheter is available in sizes compatible with 0.014- and 0.035-inch guidewires and in lengths of 100, 135, and 150 cm.

Barry Rutherford, MD, performed the first-in-man case with the VeriTorque in the United States. Dr. Rutherford is Director of the Interventional Cardiology Research Program at St. Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri.

“Volcano has brought real innovation to the microcatheter—one of our frontline tools in treating chronic coronary artery occlusions,” commented Dr. Rutherford in Volcano's press release. “I found the catheter to have excellent torque response and superb handling and tracking.”

Cardiothoracic surgeon Christos Katsigiannis, MD, of Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster, Texas, performed the first peripheral in-man cases with Valet. Dr. Katsigiannis stated, “Valet offers compelling performance benefits in challenging peripheral endovascular cases. The combination of support, deliverability, and guidewire control is unique. I particularly appreciated Valet's performance in navigating the complex anatomy below the knee.”