Use of cutoff pigtail catheters with intraluminal guidewires in interventional procedures in congenital heart disease.

Advances in interventional cardiac catheterization have necessitated technique modifications to ensure patient safety while allowing data acquisition. The use of cutoff pigtail catheters over guidewires for pressure recordings and angiography exemplifies such a modification. The primary purpose of this study was to ascertain contrast volume and flow rates achievable using such a system. A total of 140 used catheters of various sizes, with intraluminal guidewires (0.035 inch in 6, 7, and 8F; 0.025 inch in 5F) were subjected to contrast injections at increasing rates and volumes until rupture occurred. The 7F catheters allowed volume delivery at 15-40 ml at 15 ml/sec, 8F catheters 40 ml at 30 ml/sec, and 5 and 6F catheters 10 ml at 10 ml/sec. All ruptured within 3 cm of the hub, at < or = 900 PSI. A review of 737 clinical procedures revealed adequate pressure recordings and angiographic details in all, uncomplicated save for one intracardiac wire dislodgement.