The present invention provides catheter apparatus and catheterization
methodology for generating an arteriovenous fistula or a veno-venous
fistula on-demand between closely associated blood vessels and at a
chosen anatomic site in-vivo. The catheter apparatus is preferably
employed in pairs, each catheter of the pair being suitable for
percutaneous introduction into and extension through a blood vessel. The
catheterization methodology employs the catheter apparatus preferably in
conjunction with conventional radiological techniques in order to place,
verify, and confirm a proper alignment, orientation, and positioning for
the catheters in-vivo prior to activating the perforation means for
generating a fistula. The invention permits the generation of
arteriovenous fistulae and veno-venous fistulae anatomically anywhere in
the vascular system of a patient; nevertheless, the invention is most
desirably employed in the peripheral vascular system as exists in the
extremities of the body to aid in the treatment of the patient under a
variety of different medical ailments and pathologies.