Abstract
Extract: The effect of catheter placement in the abdominal aorta on the blood flow and oxygenation of lower extremities was evaluated in 30 New Zealand rabbits, weighing 0.55–3.5 kg, by inserting 3.5 and 5.0 French polyvinyl chloride catheters, of the type commonly used for umbilical artery catheterization, through the femoral artery, advancing 15–20 cm, and leaving in place for 10–30 min. Arterial blood pressure (BP), common iliac artery blood flow (BF), gracilis muscle tissue oxygen availability (O2a), and subcutaneous temperature (T) in the foot were continuously monitored before and during catheter placement and after withdrawal. There were no changes in the physiologic variables measured in the contralateral leg when the catheter remained below the aortic bifurcation; however, when the catheter was advanced 15–20 cm into the abdominal aorta, a decrease in lower extremity BF, O2a, and T occurred. Because the length of catheter insertion was maintained constant in each animal, the decreases in BF, O2a, and T are related to the relative dimensions of the vessel and the catheter. The ratio of catheter to vessel diameter, in addition to the site of catheter placement, should be considered during the clinical application of arterial catheters. Reduction in blood flow could be detected by continuous differential monitoring of core and extremity temperature or extremity muscle oxygen availability.
Speculation: Placement of catheters in the aortas of animals of physical sizes comparable to those of newborn infants may produce an appreciable obstruction to aortic flow. Until a suitable noninvasive method of assessing oxygenation in newborns is available, umbilical artery catheters should be of the smallest possible outside diameter and placed below the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta.
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Huxtable, R., Proctor, K. & Beran, A. Effect of Umbilical Artery Catheters on Blood Flow and Oxygen Supply to Extremities. Pediatr Res 10, 656–660 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197607000-00005
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197607000-00005