• B R Jones and M S Scheller.
• Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego.
• J Clin Anesth. 1992 Mar 1; 4 (2): 120-2.

Study ObjectiveTo determine the increase in flow of a hydratable enlarging intravenous (IV) catheter in anesthetized patients.DesignA randomized, nonblinded study, with standard Teflon IV catheters used as controls.SettingOperating room at a university medical center.PatientsThiry adult patients receiving general anesthesia for lower extremity surgery.InterventionsAn IV catheter was placed in the upper extremity, and flow measurements were made by measuring the time for infusion of 250 ml of normal saline within 1 minute after placement and at 1 hour after placement.Measurements And Main ResultsThe enlarging catheters had a statistically significant average flow increase of 26% after 1 hour indwelling time. The standard Teflon catheters had no statistically significant change in flow after 1 hour. The percentage increase in flow for the enlarging catheters was not as great as previously seen in vitro.ConclusionsFlow through enlarging IV catheters placed in anesthetized patients increases after 1 hour. The percentage increase in flow is not as great as previously seen in vitro and may be due to skin, vein, and subcutaneous tissues preventing complete expansion.

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