Radiology, Vol 200, 731-735, Copyright © 1996 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Power injection of intravenous contrast material through central venous catheters for CT: in vitro evaluation

BR Herts, MA Cohen, B McInroy, WJ Davros, RC Zepp and DM Einstein
Department of Radiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of use of a power injector to deliver contrast material through central venous catheters for computed tomographic (CT) examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ioversol 240 and iothalamate meglumine 43% were separately injected through three 9.6-F Hickman catheters and three 10.0-F Leonard catheters with a power injector in an in vitro study. Flow rates of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mL/sec were tested. Peak pressures were mechanically recorded from two sites. A 95% prediction interval was calculated for each peak pressure, and the upper limits at the prediction interval were evaluated to determine if it was less than the recommended limit of 25 psi (175 kPa). RESULTS: Contrast medium, flow rate, and catheter type each statistically significantly affected the measured peak pressures (P = .0001). For each flow rate tested, the upper limits of the prediction interval for the peak pressure at the connection between the coiled tubing and the catheter were below the manufacturer's specified peak pressure. CONCLUSION: In vitro analysis demonstrates that power injection of intravenous contrast medium through central venous catheters does not exceed the pressure limits of these catheters at the flow rates tested. In vivo testing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of power injection through central venous catheters is necessary.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. F. Donnelly, J. Dickerson, and J. M. Racadio Is Hand Injection of Central Venous Catheters for Contrast-Enhanced CT Safe in Children? Am. J. Roentgenol., December 1, 2007; 189(6): 1530 - 1532. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. K. Rigsby, E. Gasber, R. Seshadri, C. Sullivan, M. Wyers, and T. Ben-Ami Safety and Efficacy of Pressure-Limited Power Injection of Iodinated Contrast Medium Through Central Lines in Children Am. J. Roentgenol., March 1, 2007; 188(3): 726 - 732. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P O'Sullivan, M Brown, B Hartnett, and J R Mayo Central line pump infusion and large volume mediastinal contrast extravasation in CT Br. J. Radiol., August 1, 2006; 79(944): e75 - e77. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. C. Sanelli, M. Deshmukh, I. Ougorets, R. Caiati, and L. A. Heier Safety and Feasibility of Using a Central Venous Catheter for Rapid Contrast Injection Rates Am. J. Roentgenol., December 1, 2004; 183(6): 1829 - 1834. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. R. Herts, C. M. O'Malley, S. L. Wirth, M. L. Lieber, and B. Pohlman Power Injection of Contrast Media Using Central Venous Catheters: Feasibility, Safety, and Efficacy Am. J. Roentgenol., February 1, 2001; 176(2): 447 - 453. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]