A
system and apparatus comprising a multisensor guidewire for use in interventional
cardiology, e.g. for Transcatheter Valve Therapies (TVT), comprises a plurality of optical sensors for direct measurement of cardiovascular parameters, e.g. transvalvular
blood pressure gradients and flow. A conventional
outer coil contains a shaped core wire having a cross-section defining
helical grooves extending along its length, which accommodate optical fibers and optical sensors within a
diameter Dcore of the core wire. Advantageously, the
diameter and material of the core wire provides the guidewire with sufficient stiffness for use as a support guidewire for
valve replacement, e.g.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), while accommodating multiple sensors and optical fibers within a guidewire of outside
diameter ≦0.89 mm. An optical connector couples the guidewire to a
control system. Optionally, the guidewire includes a
contact force sensor; a pre-formed tip; and / or a separable micro-connector for proximal mounting of over-the-guidewire components.