The effect of linear contrast flow acceleration on catheter tip recoil in selective arteriography.

We investigated the effect of the device known as the linear accelerator flow control (linear-rise) available on some angiographic power injectors used for delivering contrast medium. Its influence on catheter tip recoil during selective arteriography was evaluated in two glass models, which simulated assessment of catheter position in visceral and cerebral arterial branches. Contrast medium was injected over a clinical range with and without the linear flow accelerator in operation. Biplane high speed video recordings simultaneously referenced time in thousandths of seconds and the catheter position. The linear flow accelerator failed to prevent, but did delay, catheter tip recoil in proportion to the prolongation of contrast medium injection time. These laboratory results conformed with the findings of catheter behavior during similar experiments in animals undergoing arteriography.