vessel tortuosity
Excessive coronary artery twisting or angulation that complicates catheter-based interventions.
Full Definition
Vessel tortuosity refers to excessive coronary artery twisting, spiraling, or sharp angulation that creates technical challenges during percutaneous interventions. Tortuous anatomy can impair guide catheter support, prevent device delivery, increase procedure time, and raise complication risks including vessel perforation or dissection. Tortuosity is classified as mild (<45° angulation), moderate (45-90°), or severe (>90° or corkscrew pattern). Interventional strategies for tortuous vessels include guide extension catheters, buddy wires, and specialized low-profile devices.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as compound modifier: 'vessel-tortuosity scoring.'
In Context
- "Severe vessel tortuosity in the right coronary artery required guide extension catheter support." — Procedure report
- "Vessel tortuosity scoring systems help predict procedural complexity and device deliverability." — Pre-procedural assessment