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Figure 5 | Critical Care

Figure 5

From: Dual-lumen catheters for continuous venovenous hemofiltration: limits for blood delivery via femoral vein access and a potential alternative in an experimental setting in anesthetized pigs

Figure 5

Computed tomography (CT) scans for identification of catheter tip position (body weight of 50 kg). All images are derived from a pig that was treated with intravenous contrast media. Although the time span between application and CT scan allowed contrasting ureters, contrast in the vascular system did not pronounce the veins. The upper image shows three-dimensional reconstructed volume. Due to rapid renal excretion of the contrast media (ureters are contrasted), vessels are not visible. Both catheters (dual-lumen and alternative catheter [Alt Cath]) enter the vessels at the level of the pelvis. Whereas the tip of the dual-lumen catheter is positioned in the inferior caval vein, the tip of the Alt Cath is positioned in the common iliac vein. The lower images are derived from non-contrast-enhanced imaging of the pelvis in the 'abdomen window' (window 350, center 50 Hounsfield units). In the area of the inferior caval vein (red), the dual-lumen catheter tip was close to the inner wall of the vein. Curved reconstruction was performed for the Alt Cath. Orange line shows the vessel entry point. Inferior caval veins were 11 × 17.6 mm in diameter.

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Critical Care

ISSN: 1364-8535