Which of the following is NOT a basic shape of a catheter?

A catheter’s shape plays a crucial role in its functionality within vascular interventions. Common shapes designed for specific access and navigational purposes include pigtail, single curve, and straight configurations.

The pigtail shape is characterized by its coiled appearance, allowing it to navigate around vascular structures and mitigate the likelihood of vessel trauma. Single curve catheters are designed with a gentle curvature that aids in accessing various vascular pathways effectively, particularly when navigating through bifurcations or complex anatomy. A straight catheter, as its name suggests, maintains a linear shape, which can be beneficial for straightforward access and delivery of contrast media or other interventions.

The double curve shape, while it does exist in some specific applications, is not commonly classified as a basic shape for catheters. This makes it less universally recognized compared to the other options mentioned. Each of the recognized forms is tailored to fulfill particular anatomical needs or procedural objectives, thus highlighting their importance in interventional practices.