The blocking urinary catheter: the role of variation in urine flow.
OBJECTIVE
To relate blockage of the urinary catheter to urine chemistry.


METHODS
Of 44 patients (age range 19-72 years) with an indwelling urinary catheter, 21 were troubled by frequent blockage and 23 experienced no blockage. Variation in urinary pH and calcium concentration were determined during a 24 h period and related to the occurrence of blockage using discriminant analysis.


RESULTS
The maximum pH and calcium concentrations observed, or the maximum discriminant factors calculated, correctly discriminated 91% of patients (95% CI, 78-97%).


CONCLUSIONS
Attention to volume and variability of fluid intake by the patient should have a major impact on the incidence of blockage of the indwelling urinary catheter.
Burr
R G
RG
National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, UK.
Nuseibeh
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002118:Calcium / Q000652:urine; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014554:Urination; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry
D002118:Calcium