[Absence of chemical interaction between short catheters (ETFE) and three major antibiotics. Study model]

Recourse to sounding with vein catheters is more and more frequent in hospital environments. At the same time, a perceptible increase in incidents and accidents linked to this constantly growing practice is noted. The multiplication of new biomaterials used in the composition of catheters leads to taking into account the criteria of innocuousness and physiochemical inertia as discriminant elements in the choice of biomaterials. A study in vitro has been undertaken of the interaction between short catheters made of ethylenetetrafluoroethylen (ETFE) and antibiotic solutions widely used in hospital environments. The confrontation concerned solutions of vancomycine (Vancocin), ciprofloxacine (Ciflox) and the amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (Augmentin) association. A device has been fitted up and operative conditions have been set in order that the flushing out of the catheters by the solutions be in quality and quantity, as near as possible to actual conditions of use. The interaction marked chosen being a possible release of fluorides ions by the polymer, the determination of this anion has been made by liquid-gas chromatography paired with a flame ionization detection. We show the inertia of ETFE catheters with respect to the solutions examined. Taking into account the initially defined objectives, the conclusion of the work is important and constitutes a considerable factor of security for the catheters user whether he be buyer or practitioner. The model of study making up this approach could very be applied to other categories of materials and therapeutics.