A guide catheter has properties that promote enhanced visibility of the
guide catheter using fluoroscopic or ultrasonic imaging techniques. The
tip of the guide catheter may incorporate a material that is both fluoro
and echo visible. The first material also may be provided in various
amounts along the length of the guide catheter. In addition, the guide
catheter may incorporate a reinforcing braid that includes one or more
strands of a second material that is radio-opaque. As a result, the
result guide catheter achieves improved radio-opacity and echogenicity.