Guide Wire Thrombogenicity and Its Reduction

The authors evaluated the role of guide wires in the formation of thromboembolism as a complication of percutaneous angiography. In initial experiments, guide wires were introduced into the arterial circulation of a dog, left in place for variable lengths of time, and withdrawn; the amount of fibrin deposition on the wires was then determined. The experiment was repeated in normal humans. Fibrin deposits visible to the naked eye appeared after 1.5 minutes in dogs and after five minutes in humans. Deposition occurred more readily on Teflonized than on stainless steel guide wires and much less readily if the wire were treated with benzalkonium heparin.