title: Thromboembolism associated with pigtail catheters.
abstract: Three incidents of asymptomatic arterial thromboembolism associated with polyurethane pigtail catheters occurred during 1,417 cases of left ventricular angiocardiography. No similar incident occurred with polyethylene pigtail or (dacron) Eppendorf and Gensini (style) catheters. In vitro comparison of hydraulic characteristics of polyurethane (Cordis) and polyethylene (Cook) pigtail catheters showed higher flow-pressure transmission through the tip of the Cordis polyurethane catheter favoring dislodgment of any existing clot. The problem of thrombogencity of polyethylene compared with polyurethane remains unsettled. Our experience with polyurethane pigtail catheters has resulted in limitation of their use in our laboratory.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000790:Angiocardiography / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D011095:Polyethylenes; D011140:Polyurethanes