Power injection of peripherally inserted central catheters.
OBJECTIVE
To study the tolerance of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) of varying sizes and materials to power injection of radiographic contrast agents.


METHODS
Eight different models of silicone and five different models of polyurethane single-lumen PICCs were injected with increasing rates of iothalamate 60% with use of a power injector. Tolerated and bursting rates and pressures were recorded.


RESULTS
There was a wide range of tolerated rates and pressures, depending on the inner and outer diameters of the catheters and on the catheter material. Silicone PICCs tolerated rates between 0.4 and 7.0 mL/sec and polyurethane PICCs tolerated rates between 0.6 and 10.2 mL/sec, depending on the specific catheter. The 5-F silicone PICCs and the 4-F and 5-F polyurethane PICCs tested all tolerated rates greater than 4 mL/sec. Silicone catheters tolerated pressures between 107 and 184 psi, and polyurethane catheters tolerated pressures between 160 and 314 psi.


CONCLUSIONS
Larger single-lumen silicone and polyurethane PICCs may be suitable for power injection of contrast agents.
Rivitz
S M
SM
Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.
Drucker
E A
EA
D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007483:Iothalamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008422:Materials Testing; D011140:Polyurethanes; D011312:Pressure; D012828:Silicones
D003287:Contrast Media; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012828:Silicones; D007483:Iothalamic Acid