New Dual Lumen Self-Expanding Catheter Design Requiring Less Suction

Contribution of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (v-v ECMO) to gas transfer is flow dependent. Catheter design is a key factor for optimal pressure/flow rate relationship. This study was designed for the assessment of a new self-expanding dual lumen catheter design versus the current standard. Outlet pressure/flow rate and inlet pressure/flow rate for a new Smart catheter with self-expanding dual lumen design constricted to 27 F with 5 mm long constrictor corresponding to the percutaneous path versus Avalon 27 F catheter (control) were compared on a flow bench with a Biomedicus centrifugal pump. Flow, pump inlet pressure and outlet pressure were determined at 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, and 2,500 revolutions per minute (RPM). At 500 RPM and with a 5 mm long constrictor (1,000; 1,500; 2,000; and 2,500 RPM), catheter outlet pressure values were −0.13 ± 0.07 mm Hg (−2.55 ± 0.06; −7.38 ± 0.14; −15.03 ± 0.44; −26.46 ± 0.39) for self-expanding versus −2.93 ± 0.23* (−10.60 ± 0.14; −22.74 ± 0.34; −38.43 ± 0.41; –58.25 ± 0.40)*p < 0.0001* for control. The flow values were 0.61 ± 0.01 L/min (1.64 ± 0.03, 2.78 ± 0.02; 4.07 ± 0.04; 5.37 ± 0.02) for self-expanding versus 1.13 ± 0.06*; (2.19 ± 0.04; 3.30 ± 0.03; 4.30 ± 0.03; 5.30 ± 0.03)*p < 0.0001* for control. The corresponding catheter inlet flow rates of the self-expanding catheter were slightly more than that of the control. For the given setup, our evaluation demonstrated that the new dual lumen self-expanding catheter requires lower catheter outlet pressures for higher flows as compared to the current standard.