Atrial cannulation for long-term sequential blood collection in gilts.
Polyvinyl chloride tubing (ID, 1.27 mm; OD, 2.29 mm) was placed via the jugular vein into the right atrium of thirty-five 120- to 200-day-old gilts. Catheters remained patent for 14 to 88 days (mean, 41 days). The major cause of loss of function was damage inflicted by the gilt (20 catheters), whereas only 3 catheters lost patency because of blockage. Using a pulley and counterweight system the exteriorized end of the catheter was suspended above the gilt, facilitating blood collection and minimizing disturbance of the gilts.
D000818:Animals; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000662:veterinary*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000662:veterinary; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D013552:Swine / Q000097:blood*