title: Intravascular ultrasonographic assessment of thrombus formation on central venous catheters.
abstract: In vitro experiments were performed in order to investigate the appearance of different types of central venous catheters at intravascular ultrasonography. The experiments were repeated with artificially produced thrombi which were made adherent to the catheter wall. All thrombi larger than 1 mm could be identified. In a clinical study including 12 patients who had a central venous catheter, transfemoral intravascular ultrasonography was performed. The catheters had been in place for an average period of 54 days (range 1-360 days). In 3 patients a catheter thrombus, mural thrombus, or occlusive vein thrombosis was found. In 2 of these patients the catheter was occluded, in the 3rd patient it was malpositioned into the contralateral brachiocephalic vein. There were no complications following the ultrasonographic procedures. Mean catheterization time was 7.5 min (range 3-20 min). The advantages of this new method compared with conventional phlebographic studies and its impact on further clinical investigations are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Bolz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aadahl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mangersnes
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rødsjø
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jørstad
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Myhre
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Angelsen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nordby
mesh_terms: D016121:Brachiocephalic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*