In Vitro Venous Catheter Material Comparison: Microbial Adhesion in a Thrombotic Blood Flow Model

There is an ongoing need for intravenous catheters designed to reduce the risk of thrombosis and catheter-related bloodstream infections. The aim of this study was to compare thrombus formation and microbial adhesion on catheters made from hydrophilic biomaterial (HBM), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and fluorinated TPU.

Using the industry-recognized in vitro blood loop and static model, thrombus and microbial adhesion were quantified in the presence of 7 clinically relevant microbes.

Thrombotic and microbial adhesion to HBM catheters was significantly reduced in the presence of clinically relevant microbes. Thrombotic adhesion to HBM catheters showed a significant average reduction greater than 96.3% (2-tailed, paired; P ≤ . 03) for all microbes tested compared to TPU catheters. Compared to microbial adhesion to TPU catheters, HBM catheters averaged more than a 4-log reduction (>99.99% reduction) of microbial difference for all 7 microbes tested (2-tailed, paired; P ≤ .003 for all microbes). Reductions in thrombotic and microbial adhesions were independent of clotting factors.

Although large clinical trials are needed, these in vitro results build on the growing evidence to support the use of HBM catheters to prevent common complications associated with vascular access devices.