Abstract
Catheters used in clinical cerebral angiography were examined by scanning electron microscopy for buildup of thrombus. In 21 (67%) of 31 individuals studied with non-heparin-coated catheters, either cell aggregations or thrombi developed compared with seven (28%) of 25 individuals studied with heparin-coated catheters. The median size of the cell aggregations and thrombi on non-heparin- and heparin-coated catheters was significantly different (p < 0.01). The slopes that estimated the probable rate of thrombus formation were also significantly different (p < 0.01). This suggests the desirability of replacement of non-heparin-coated catheters if the angiographic procedure is extended.
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