Flushing of intravascular access devices (IVADs) - Efficacy of pulsed and continuous infusions

PurposeTo compare, under controlled conditions similar to practical situations, the efficacy of pulsed and continuous infusion for flushing IVADs. For both of them different flow rates, flushing volumes, and times were tested.MethodsThe PU catheter lumens were filled with a mixture of fibronectin and bovine albumin to simulate physiologic protein depot. Flushing was performed with normal saline. An adapted pump controlled the flow rates. Efficacy was measured by the amount of albumin recovered from the lumen of the tested devices. Flow rate, volumes, and times tested were based upon values reported and/or measured in nursing practices. We compared: (A) single 10 mL bolus and 6 flushing times, (B) continuous infusion of 500 mL in 24 hours, (C) 10 successive boluses 1 mL flushed in 0.5 s each and 6 different time intervals between each bolus. Statistics were performed using the Mann and Whitney U test.ResultsIn group A, the maximum percentage of recovered protein (79.1% was achieved with the 10 mL bolus flu...