title: Kinked catheters: radiographic appearance of functionally significant bends.
abstract: Several nonangiographic catheters commonly used in children were bent and kinked, radiographed, and perfused at different rates to identify appearances that corresponded to significant alterations in flow dynamics. Radiographic signs of catheter kinking (i.e., focal buckling) depended on the severity of bending and the angle of the radiographic beam relative to the plane of the bend. One or more straight lines appeared at the site of buckling; catheters that were not kinked did not demonstrate straight lines. Other signs were distortion of the round catheter lumen and bulging of the catheter material. Distortions short of sharp kinking did not compromise flow except in very small catheters.
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization; D006801:Humans; D010477:Perfusion; D011312:Pressure; D011859:Radiography