Sands J, Jabayc P, Miranda C
Delivered blood flow in cuffed central venous catheters
43rd Annual ASAIO Conference, Atlanta
ASAIO J (Apr) 43:69 1997

It is difficult to achieve blood flow rates greater than 350-400 ml/min with cuffed central venous catheters. In this paper, Sands et al compare flow in 3 different types of cuffed catheters. 28 patients were studied. 13 had twin Tesio catheters, 9 had Bard-Hickman catheters, and 6 had Vascaths. Flow was measured using the Transonics device at pump settings of 250-400 ml/min during the first and last 30 min of a dialysis session.

The flow was substantially higher in the Tesio catheters than with either of the double-lumen counterparts, especially as the pump speed was increased above 300 ml/min. The Vascath came in 3rd place. All catheter tips were documented to be at the level of the right atrium.

Comment: The results are consistent with those of Athirakul et al from Steve Schwab's group, presented at ASN in 1996, although in the latter study, flow with PermCaths and Tesio catheters were statistically indistinguishable. In Schwab's study, however, flow was imputed from blood pump settings and not actually measured using ultrasound dilution. (John T. Daugirdas, M.D., University of Illinois at Chicago)

To go back use the BACK button on your browser.
Otherwise click on the desired link to this article below:
43rd Annual ASAIO Conference, Atlanta
Basic hemodialysis : Vascular Access: venous