Rapid-exchange guide catheter extension for extending the reach of an AL3 guide in a patient with a long, dilated ascending aorta.

We describe the use of a rapid-exchange style guide catheter extension to facilitate diagnostic coronary angiography in a patient with a long, dilated ascending aorta. The guide catheter extension is an easy to use device that can extend the reach of 110 cm catheters. There are several advantages to this "mother and child" guide catheter extension over the traditional telescoping catheter approach.