Power injection of intravenous contrast material through central venous catheters for CT: in vitro evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility of use of a power injector to deliver contrast material through central venous catheters for computed tomographic (CT) examinations.


METHODS
Ioversol 240 and iothalamate meglumine 43% were separately injected through three 9.6-F Hickman catheters and three 10.0-F Leonard catheters with a power injector in an in vitro study. Flow rates of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mL/sec were tested. Peak pressures were mechanically recorded from two sites. A 95% prediction interval was calculated for each peak pressure, and the upper limits at the prediction interval were evaluated to determine if it was less than the recommended limit of 25 psi (175 kPa).


RESULTS
Contrast medium, flow rate, and catheter type each statistically significantly affected the measured peak pressures (P = .0001). For each flow rate tested, the upper limits of the prediction interval for the peak pressure at the connection between the coiled tubing and the catheter were below the manufacturer's specified peak pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
In vitro analysis demonstrates that power injection of intravenous contrast medium through central venous catheters does not exceed the pressure limits of these catheters at the flow rates tested. In vivo testing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of power injection through central venous catheters is necessary.
Herts
B R
BR
Department of Radiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
Cohen
M A
MA
McInroy
B
B
Davros
W J
WJ
Zepp
R C
RC
Einstein
D M
DM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007482:Iothalamate Meglumine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; C054871:ioversol; D007482:Iothalamate Meglumine