Skip to main content
Log in

Thrombogenicity of pulmonary-artery catheters

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Intensive Care Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The thrombogenicity of heparin-bonded and non-heparin-bonded pulmonary-artery catheters was compared by means of pull-out phlebography in a prospective, randomized clinical study of 20 patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). The duration of catheterization averaged 47.4±4.1 h in the heparin-bonded group (10 patients) and 45.7±7.1 h in the non-heparin-bonded (10 patients). Age, clinical diagnosis, mean time required to obtain a stable wedge position, heparin dose administered and clotting indices were comparable between the groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the length of formed thrombi (2.3±1.89 vs 5.88±4.62 cm) or frequency of thrombus formation between the groups. The thrombi originated and propagated from the puncture site. They were mural proximally and formed sleeves in the superior vena cava. Several sleeves stripped off on withdrawal of the catheter. Protection from thrombosis offered by heparin bonding of pulmonary-artery catheters should, therefore, not be overstimated — at least not in long-therm catheterization of ICU patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bennegård K, Curelaru I, Gustavsson B, Linder LE, Zachrisson BF (1982) Material thrombogenicity in central venous catheterization. I. A comparison between uncoated and heparin-coated, long, antebrachial, polyethylene catheters. Acta Anaesth Scand 26:112

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Bjoraker DG, Katcham TR (1983) Catheter thrombus artifactually decreases thermodilution cardiac output measurements. Anesth Analg 62:1031

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Brismar B, Hårdstedt C, Jacobson S (1981) Diagnosis of thrombosis by catheter phlebography after prolonged central venous catheterization. Ann Surg 194:779

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Chastre J, Cornud F, Bouchama A, Viau F, Benacerraf R, Gibert C (1982) Thrombosis as a complication of pulmonaryartery catheterization via the internal jugular vein. Prospective evaluation by phlebography. N Engl J Med 306:278

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Doherty PW, Lanteigne D (1980) The in vivo effectiveness of heparin bonding of catheters using Indium-111 labeled platelets. Circulation (Suppl 3) 62:179 (Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Elliott CG, Zimmerman GA, Clemmer TP (1979) Complications of pulmonary artery catheterization in the care of critically ill patients. A prospective study. Chest 76:647

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Foote GA, Schabel SI, Morrison Hodges (1974) Pulmonary complications of the flow-directed balloon-tipped catheter. N Engl J Med 290:927

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Goodman DJ, Rider AK, Billingham ME, Schroeder JS (1974) Thromboembolic complications with the indwelling balloontipped pulmonary arterial catheter. N Engl J Med 291:777

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Hoar PF, Stone JG, Wicks AE, Edie RN, Scholes JV (1978) Thrombogenesis associated with Swan-Ganz catheters. Anesthesiology 48:445

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Hoar PF, Wilson RM, Mangano DT, Avery GJ, Szarnicki RJ, Hill JD (1981) Heparin bonding reduces thrombogenicity of pulmonary-artery catheters. N Eng J Med 305:993

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Hoshal VL, Ause RG, Hoskins PA, Arbor A (1971) Fibrin sleeve formation on indwelling subclavian central venous catheters. Arch Surg 102:353

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Mangano DT (1982) Heparin bonding and long-term protection against thrombogenesis. N Eng J Med 307:894

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Peters WR, Bush WH, McIntry RD, Hill LD (1973) The development of fibrin sheath on indwelling venous catheters. Surg Gynecol Obstet 137:43

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Sise MJ, Hollingsworth P, Brimm JE, Peters RM, Virgilio RW, Shackford SR (1981) Complications of the flow-directed pulmonary-artery catheter: A prospective analysis in 219 patients. Crit Care Med 9:315

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Yorra FH, Oblath R, Jaffe H, Simmons DH, Levy SE (1974) Massive thrombosis associated with use of the Swan-Ganz catheter. Chest 65:682

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mollenholt, P., Eriksson, I. & Andersson, T. Thrombogenicity of pulmonary-artery catheters. Intensive Care Med 13, 57–59 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00263559

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00263559

Key words

Navigation