Evaluation of suction towards the vessel wall of the vascular access hemodialysis catheters in ex vivo pig models of blood and venous blood vessels

Abstract

Vascular access hemodialysis catheters (catheters) are mainly used for rapidly and safely hemodialysis therapy. But we often encounter that the dialysis should be stopped by suction towards the vessel wall of the vascular access hemodialysis catheters. We established an ex vivo evaluation system for quantifying the efficiency of catheters as it is difficult to evaluate at clinical level. Venous blood vessels of pigs were connected to the system, and pig blood was circulated in the rate of 100～300mL/min. We inserted a catheters in the blood vessel and the blood flow quantity (Qb) was set in 100～200mL/min. Suction towards the vessel wall occurred at both Qv 300mL/min, and Qb 100～300mL/min in end hole type of catheters. On the other hand, using side hole type of catheters, suction towards the vessel wall didn’t occur at Qv 300mL/min, Qb 100 and 150mL/min, but occurred at 20%, at Qb 200mL/min. A new system of experimental extracorporeal circulation allows us to evaluate quantitatively the efficiency of catheters.