title: Characterisation and evaluation of a new double lumen central venous catheter.
abstract: The performance of a new double lumen central venous haemodialysis catheter was tested in two laboratory models. In a bench model the patient's venous system was simulated by a reservoir from which water or glycerol was drawn through a fixed tube. A double lumen silastic catheter was then inserted into the tube, as it would in a major vein, with the tip directed away from the direction of flow. The catheter was linked to a dialysis circuit incorporating pressure sensors and dye was infused at constant rate so that recirculation at the tip could be measured and found to be less than 5%. The same catheters were inserted operatively into the superior vena cava via the external jugular vein of three pigs (weight 27-31 kg). The catheters remained patent for four weeks and when connected to an extracorporeal circuit had recirculation and pressure flow characteristics comparable to the bench model in the range 50-400 ml/min. The new double lumen catheter is worthy of clinical evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Leicester University, UK.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Woffindin
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hoenich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008961:Models, Structural; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012212:Rheology; D013552:Swine