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Does the use of hydrochloric acid damage silicone rubber central venous catheters?
R J Shulman1, J P Barrish, M J Hicks
1USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Houston, Texas, USA.
JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
|September 1, 1995
Abstract
Background:
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is commonly used to clear obstructions in central venous catheters (CVC).
Methods:
To determine if HCl adversely affects the integrity of a CVC we infused 0.1 N HCl daily into CVC in vitro. At weekly intervals sections of the CVC were removed and examined using scanning electron microscopy.
Results:
Over 8 weeks, no damage to the CVC was visible.
Conclusions:
HCl administration poses no threat to the structural integrity of a CVC.