Heparin Bonding Reduces Thrombogenicity of Pulmonary-Artery Catheters

Abstract

THROMBI form on the surface of pulmonary-artery catheters soon after these devices are inserted into the central circulation.1 Although complications attributable to such thrombi do not occur frequently, their consequences can be serious: pulmonary embolism,2 , 3 occlusive vascular thromboses,4 , 5 and thrombotic endocardial vegetations.6 , 7 Catheter thrombogenicity is believed to involve an interaction of blood with the physicochemical and textural properties of the catheter's surface.8 9 10 11 Therefore, surface treatment of the catheter by chemical processes that reduce thrombus formation on in vitro models may decrease catheter thrombogenicity in patients.12 One such method is to bond heparin chemically12 , 13 to the polymer plastics used in the . . .