Investigations of the pushability behavior of cardiovascular angiographic catheters.

The placement of angiographic catheters into the vascular system is a routine procedure in modern clinical business. The definition of objective but not yet available evaluation protocols based on measurable physical quantities correlated to the empirical clinical findings is of utmost importance for catheter manufacturers for in-house product screening and optimization. In this context, we present an assessment of multiple mechanical and surface catheter properties such as static and kinetic friction, bending stiffness, microscopic surface topology, surface roughness, surface free energy and their interrelation.

Outpatient coronary angiography with 4 French catheters.

The early 4 French (Fr), pre-formed, Judkins coronary catheters had unsatisfactory maneuverability due to reduced torque stability. Technical innovations have led to improved 4 Fr catheters. This prospective study evaluates the safety and feasibility of the 4 Fr Quick Care Infinity catheter (Cordis, Miami, Florida).

Endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent flow reserve in vascular regions supplied by the internal mammary artery before and after bypass grafting.

Objective: It was the goal of this study to compare endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent flow reserve in vascular regions supplied by the left internal mammary artery before and after bypass graft surgery.

Methods: The native internal mammary artery in situ was investigated in 13 patients (age 61.8 +/- 8.