ISSN:
0021-9304
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
,
Technology
Notes:
In the development of a polyurethane vascular catheter with anti-infective properties, it became desirable to develop a measure of tissue inflammation. This was investigated in a rabbit model by implanting uncoated catheters and catheters coated with heparin (HEP), chlorhexidine (CH), or CH/HEP in the subcutaneous space with or without 104 Staphylococcus aureus. At intervals of 2, 4 and 7 days after implantation, animals were sacrificed; tissue blocks containing catheters were removed and preserved with formaldehyde; and sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Using a histologic index, 240 sections (10 for each experimental condition) were evaluated by two investigators blinded to experimental conditions. Uncoated catheters or catheters coated with CH alone had a lower histologic index (less inflammation) than catheters coated with HEP alone or CH/HEP (P 〈.05). When catheters were inoculated with S. aureus, those coated with CH, with or without HEP, had a lower histologic index than uncoated catheters (P 〈.05). Next, 30 volunteers had a control catheter inserted in a vein in one forearm and a catheter coated with either CH alone or CH/HEP in a vein in the other forearm. After 96 h of observation there was a greater risk of phlebitis associated with CH/HEP catheters than control catheters (P 〈.05), and no difference in the risk of phlebitis between CH catheters and control catheters (P = 0.43). Thus, the amount of inflammation around the catheter in the subcutaneous space of rabbit correlated with the risk of peripheral vein phlebitis. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Additional Material:
3 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbm.820280217
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