Venous valvular assessment after retrograde catheterization.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether retrograde passage of a coaxial infusion system (Mewissen-Katzen catheter and guide wire) into extremity veins with valves causes damage.


METHODS
Retrograde common femoral vein puncture and passage of an infusion wire-catheter system through the superficial femoral and popliteal veins of one leg were performed in five anesthetized pigs. Heparinized saline was then infused via the catheter and wire for approximately 8 hours. The pigs were then killed, and the femoropopliteal veins were removed from both legs of each pig and examined by a pathologist. The noncatheterized leg veins served as a control in each animal.


RESULTS
Valvular damage occurred in one of five pigs. This may have resulted from leg movement during catheter passage in this animal.


CONCLUSIONS
Retrograde passage of a catheter-guide-wire infusion system caused minimal to no damage to the venous valves of pigs. This suggests that human venous valves may be spared injury during catheter-directed venous thrombolysis. Further study of catheter manipulation in a model of deep venous thrombosis is needed.
Jaffe
J W
JW
Department of Radiology, Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA 18105-1556, USA.
Newcomb
J A
JA
York
T
T
Matulewicz
T J
TJ
D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D011152:Popliteal Vein / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013552:Swine; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000925:Anticoagulants; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D006493:Heparin