An catheterization apparatus 10 for reversing the retrograde or antegrade direction of catheterization includes a guide wire 12 foldable upon itself for partial introduction into a vessel 68 of a patient. The guide wire 12 first includes a resilient, elongated member 14 having a curved end 16 and a remainder 17 having a second, bent end 18. The guide wire 12 also includes a flexible tether 22 connected to the tip 20 of the curved end 16 of the elongated member 14. The elongated member 14 is preferably formed from a wire core or mandrel 24 covered by a continuous coiled wire 30. The catheterization apparatus 10 preferably further includes a catheter through which the guide wire 12 is introduced into the vessel 68. The catheter can be of conventional construction and operability. Preferably, however, the catheter is a highly flexible and relatively short intermediary catheter 56, employed only temporarily during use of the retrograde-antegrade guide wire 12. The catheterization apparatus 10 can also include an inserter sheath 60 engageable with the catheter 56 to facilitate passage of the guide wire 12 through the catheter 56. The apparatus 10 is particularly advantageous in that its use avoids the need to establish a second access site. Moreover, the apparatus 10 is relatively simple and reliable in construction and use, and is relatively low in cost, at least in comparison to the costs and risks of the establishment of a second access site. The apparatus 10 is atraumatic during use, that is, it does not significantly damage the blood vessel or other vessel during reversal of the direction of catheterization. The apparatus 10 is useful in vessels of both large and small diameter, and facilitates the selective engagement of a catheter with a bifurcation branch in a vessel.
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