Hydrophilic biomaterial intravenous hydrogel catheter for complication reduction in PICC and midline catheters

ABSTRACT

Introduction

More than 30% of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and midline catheters experience complications. Most complications are related to thrombotic cellular adherence to catheter materials.

Areas covered

This manuscript outlines PICC and midline catheter complications, the need to reduce complications and how hydrogel catheters may provide a solution to address these unmet needs based on available evidence.

Expert opinion

Patients commonly require PICC or midline catheters for treatment to establish a reliable form of intravenous access. Catheters, while reliable in most cases, are not without complications, including occlusion, thrombosis and infection, each related to cellular adherence to the catheter material. Hydrophilic catheter coatings and composites have been developed to mitigate these thrombotic complications, reduce adherence of blood and bacterial cells to catheters and provide greater patient safety with these devices. Hydrogel materials are highly biocompatible and have been effective in reducing cellular adherence and the formation of biofilms on surfaces. Smooth hydrophilic catheter surfaces are potentially more comfortable for the patient, with reduced friction during insertion and removal. A catheter constructed of hydrophilic biomaterial, a hydrogel composite material, may minimize thrombotic complications in PICC and midline catheters, improving catheter performance and outcomes for patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Complications
• cost savings
• infection
• intravenous catheter
• peripherally Inserted central catheter (PICC)
• midline catheter
• venous thrombosis
• thrombotic occlusion

Article highlights

• Complications associated with PICC and midline catheters occur frequently.

• Hydrogel materials are highly biocompatible and have been effective in reducing thrombus accumulation, preventing cellular adherence and the formation of biofilms on surfaces.

• Hydrophilic super-hydrated catheter surfaces make insertions smoother and potentially more comfortable for the patient and may reduce the risk of vessel injury and inflammation.

• Reducing cellular adherence and thrombotic catheter complications leading to occlusions in PICC and midline catheters would represent significant cost savings for all healthcare facilities by promoting longer catheter function without complications.

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to extend special thanks to Stephen Babcock and Aisha Cobbs for their editorial assistance.

Declaration of interest

NM is employed by PICC Excellence, Inc., an education service provider with consulting, research and speaker bureau support provided to Access Vascular, 3M, Accuvein, Bedal, Chiesi U.S.A., General Electric Healthcare Technologies, Helmier, Javelin Health, Linear Health Sciences, Nexus Medical, Parker Laboratories, Prytime Medical, and Teleflex.

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This report was industry-sponsored by Access Vascular, Inc. (Billerica, MA, USA). Funding from Access Vascular, Inc. was provided to PICC Excellence, Inc. for research and manuscript development.