Utility of anti-thrombotic coating (SEC-1 coating) for peripherally inserted central catheters

Abstract

<h2>Summary</h2><h3>Introduction</h3> Peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) has a risk of causing phlebitis and thrombus occlusion. We coated the surfaces of the PICC with a specialized coating material (SEC-1) which may prevent thrombogenicity and phlebitis. This study aimed to evaluate SEC-1 coating PICCs using big animal. <h3>Methods</h3> SEC-1 coating was used to both the internal and external surface of the catheter. In internal coating evaluation, the swine blood was filled up to 10 cm from the tip of the catheter into both non-coated and SEC-1-coated PICC (4Fr). Then we attempted to release the catheter occlusion at 5, 15 and 30 min while measuring the occlusion pressure by a digital pressure gauge. In external coating evaluation, after optimizing the phlebitis model using milk vein in swine, both PICCs inserted at a depth of 15 cm in the vein were forcibly withdrawn a distance of 5 cm and re-inserted 100 times. After 2days, we assessed inflammatory cell infiltration by histological evaluation. <h3>Result</h3> The catheter occlusion release pressure at 5 min was measured at the non-coated: 2 and SEC-1-coated PICC:2 kPa. At 15 min, 7 and 4 kPa (<i>p</i>=0.38). At 30 min, 30 and 4 kPa (<i>p</i>=0.01). In external coating evaluation, there was no clear difference between the non-coated and the SEC-1-coated PICC in terms of inflammatory cell infiltration. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The results of this study suggest that antithrombotic coating (SEC-1 coating) of PICC catheters may inhibit thrombogenicity. However, we were unable to confirm that it was effective in the control of phlebitis.