title: Catheter insertion for intravenous (IV) contrast infusion in multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT): defining how catheter caliber selection affects procedure of catheter insertion, IV contrast infusion rate, complication rate, and MDCT image quality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the effect of intravenous (IV) catheter gauge size on catheter placement, contrast infusion, and image quality for patients undergoing IV contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand consecutive adult outpatients undergoing IV contrast-enhanced MDCT and 10 IV insertion CT nurses were observed from IV catheter selection through IV removal. Patients' demographics, number of sticks required, catheter gauge during each attempt, time for catheter placement, IV nurses' assessment of vein quality and contrast infusion parameters were recorded. Scan quality was assessed subjectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects included 547 men and 453 women, with a mean age 59.2 years (range, 19-92 years). Median number of catheter attempts was 1 per patient (range, 1-9). Catheters were successfully placed in 98%. First and final catheters were most commonly 20 gauge (59% and 56%, respectively), followed by 22 gauge (34% for both), 18 gauge (6% for both), and 24 gauge (2% and 3%, respectively). Mean infusion rate correlated with catheter gauge: 5.3 mL/s for 18 gauge; 3.5 mL/s for 20 gauge; 2.3 mL/s for 22 gauge; and 1.7 mL/s for 24 gauge (P < 0.0001). Target infusion rate of ≥ 3 mL/s was related to catheter gauge (100% of 18 gauge, 71% of 20 gauge, 11% of 22 gauge, and 0% of 24 gauge; P < 0.0001). Nine hundred sixty-eight subjects underwent imaging. Most of the CT examinations (935/968 [97%]) were of acceptable quality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Experienced IV starters usually achieve IV access in one attempt by tailoring IV catheter gauge to vein quality; however, target infusion rates are not likely to be achieved with 22- and 24-gauge catheters, used in nearly 1/3 of the patients in this study.
authors.affiliation: From The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiologic Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: Pamela T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Gale
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eng
authors.forename: Elliot K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Fishman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media