Reprocessing and sterilization of single-use electrophysiological catheters: removal of organic carbon and protein surface residues.

Although evidence to date indicates that reprocessing electrophysiological (EP) catheters results in clean, sterile devices, some concerns persist with regard to the risk of residual contamination. We examined the ability of a defined reprocessing procedure coupled with a validated sterilization protocol to remove organic carbon and protein residues from worst-case soiled EP catheters resulting in clean, sterile devices. Total organic carbon (TOC) determinations indicated that detergent residues on reprocessed used catheters were nominal and significantly lower than organic carbon levels present on new catheters.