title: Distal intracranial catheterization of patients with tortuous vascular anatomy using a new hybrid guide catheter.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A hybrid guide catheter mates the traditional strong guide catheter with a thin, soft distal tip, allowing placement further into the distal cervical or proximal cranial circulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present 5 cases in which traditional guide catheters were unable to successfully navigate tortuous anatomy or provide stable support for intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hybrid guide catheters provided safe, stable support for successful treatment. Hybrid guide catheters allow for treatment for patients who previously were not candidates for neuroendovascular surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-2380, USA.
authors.forename: Scott D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Arthur J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ulm
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Erminia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Albanese
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mericle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000295:instrumentation; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D015607:Stents; D006801:Humans