title: Comparison of silicone and polyurethane catheters for the catheterization of small vessels in mice.
abstract: Vascular catheterization is increasingly carried out in laboratory mice, but the long-term patency of catheters implanted in mice is limited owing to their small size. The authors compared mice that were catheterized in their right common carotid artery either with a silicone catheter with a polyurethane tip or with a 100% polyurethane catheter to determine which catheter type was better suited for long-term studies in mice. The catheters were inspected daily and were flushed if blood was visible in the catheters; if no blood was visible, they were flushed every 3 d. Silicone catheters were patent for a shorter period of time than polyurethane catheters, which were patent for a median of 6 d and up to 25 d. The authors identify the principal causes of catheter failure and discuss how they can be prevented.
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. [2].
authors.forename: Anne Charlotte
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Teilmann
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. [2].
authors.forename: Malene Kari
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Falkenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hau
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Klas Stig Peter
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Abelson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004868:Equipment Failure; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012828:Silicones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D062666:Vascular Access Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D011140:Polyurethanes; D012828:Silicones