Maintenance of permanently implanted cardiac pressure catheters in experimental animals

Two techniques for maintaining permanently implanted cardiac catheters in experimental animals are described. Polyvinylchloride catheters are coated with TDMAC-Heparin, a polymer complex currently used clinically to prevent thrombogenesis in vascular shunts. Long-term catheter obstruction and thrombus formation have been obviated by using this method. Also, to assure multiple, painless studies in awake animals, a somewhat different technique for pressure catheter access has been developed and is detailed in this report.