Vascular sheath
Introducers are a kind of port enabling vascular access (usually from the radial or femoral artery) and allowing easy replacement of catheters and other equipment used during angioplasty or structural procedures (e.g., percutaneous valve implantation). The introducer is also often called a vascular sheath or vascular lock.
Angioplasty
Angioplasty is a percutaneous procedure to widen blood vessels (endovascular procedure) that have been narrowed or closed due to disease (usually progressive atherosclerosis). Angioplasty is performed mainly within the coronary arteries, carotid arteries, upper and lower limbs, kidneys, and sometimes venous vessels.
Radial introducers
If radial access is selected, there are dedicated radial sheaths. In addition, depending on the type of procedure, it is sometimes necessary to use specific types of introducers.
Long introducers
In the case of tortuous anatomy, it is required to use a long sheath.
Large introducers
In the case of structural procedures (e.g., TAVI) or stent-graft implantation, it is necessary to use large-sized introducers.
Reinforced introducers
On the other hand, in the case of angioplasty within the peripheral arteries, especially in the case of the cross-over method, guiding sheaths (reinforced sheaths) are used.