The Catheter Wall Simulating Thrombus Formation Seen on Pullout Angiograms: An Experimental Study

Abstract

The nature of a radiolucent line that was seen paralleling the radiopaque catheter wall on more than 70% of 176 pullout angiograms [human] was investigated. Although this line may indicate a thrombus sleeve, accumulation of thrombus was rarely seen at the puncture site. An identical line could be reproduced in a bloodless model; the width varied directly with the thickness of the catheter wall and appeared irregular in contour with 6.5, 7 and 8 French catheters; and this line represented the outer 1/3 of the catheter wall.