What is the length of the flexible portion of a fixed core guidewire?

The length of the flexible portion of a fixed core guidewire is typically around 3-10 centimeters. This section is designed to provide the necessary flexibility and maneuverability needed during vascular procedures. A flexible guidewire is crucial for navigating through complex vascular anatomy, allowing the provider to steer through bends and turns in blood vessels while maintaining stability and control.

The length of the flexible portion is significant because it allows the guidewire to adapt to the varying radii of curvature within the vascular system without causing trauma to the vessel walls. This flexibility is essential when accessing deep or tortuous vessels. A length of 3-10 centimeters is ideal, as it provides sufficient flexibility while also being long enough to support a range of therapeutic or diagnostic interventions.

In contrast, shorter lengths, such as those measured in millimeters, would not provide adequate flexibility and could limit the guidewire's effectiveness in navigating the vascular system. Similarly, options that suggest a range wider than 10 centimeters may lead to challenges in manipulation and might not align with the design of guidewires in use within vascular interventional practices. Thus, the selected answer aligns perfectly with the typical design and application of fixed core guidewires in the field.