The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 26, 485-487, Copyright © 1978 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Maintenance of permanently implanted cardiac pressure catheters in experimental animals
WR Chitwood Jr, RC Hill and AS Wechsler
Two techniques for maintaining permanently implanted cardiac catheters in
experimental animals are described. Polyvinylchloride catheters are coated
with TDMAC-Heparin, a polymer complex currently used clinically to prevent
thrombogenesis in vascular shunts. Long-term catheter obstruction and
thrombus formation have been obviated by using this method. Also, to assure
multiple, painless studies in awake animals, a somewhat different technique
for pressure catheter access has been developed and is detailed in this
report.