Does the Kensey catheter keep a coaxial position inside the arterial lumen? An in-vitro angioscopic study.
Angioscopy was used to evaluate the "self-centering" ability of three Kensey catheters (KC) with different flexibility: one 8Fr "peripheral" and two 5Fr "coronary" (I & II). Angioscopic observations were made inside arteries, 5-18 mm in diameter. There was a good correlation between flexibility and self-centering of the KC [r = 0.83, p less than 0.05]. Increasing the flow rate of rinsing solution from 18 to 60 ml/min prolonged coaxial position from 8.9 +/- 3.3 to 36 +/- 2.2 sec/min of activation [p less than 0.001]. A smaller effect on coaxial position was exerted by increasing cam speed from 5.2 +/- 0.7 to 19.2 +/- 1.6 sec/min (p less than 0.001). In conclusion, angioscopy showed that the KC has a limited ability to maintain a coaxial position inside the arterial lumen and operators cannot rely on its self-centering property.
Gehani
A A
AA
Cardiac Research Unit, Killingbeck Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Davies
A
A
Stoodley
K
K
Ashley
S
S
Brook
S G
SG
Rees
M R
MR
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D004285:Dogs; D004724:Endoscopy; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013552:Swine