Difficult iliac arteries

Catheterization of bilateral uterine arteries is mandatory. A cobra-shaped catheter is the best catheter to use for easy insertion into uterine arteries. The cobra catheter is available in three different types, each according to the degree of opening of the curve. The medium sized catheter (C2) is the one most commonly used. When using a 4-F catheter, one should make sure that the lumen of the catheter is able to accept 0.038-in. guidewire for possible microcatheter use. The contralateral internal iliac artery is catheterized first and can be reached by pushing the cobra. In some difficult cases, a curved catheter, such as SOS or sidewinder, could be handy to cross the aortic bifurcation. 

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