Does the Kensey catheter keep a coaxial position inside the arterial lumen?: An in-vitro angioscopic study

Angioscopy was used to evaluate the “self-centering” ability of three Kensey catheters (KC) with different flexibility: one 8Fr “peripheral” and two 5Fr “coronary” (I & II). Angioscopic observations were made inside arteries. 5–18 mm in diameter. There was a good correlation between flexibility and self-centering of the KC [r=0.83, p<0.05]. Increasing the flow rate of rinsing solution from 18 to 60 ml/min prolonged coaxial position from 8.9±3.3 to 36±2.2 sec/min of activation [p<0.001]. A smaller effect on coaxial position was exerted by increasing cam speed from 5.2±0.7 to 19.2±1.6 sec/min (p<0.001). In conclusion, angioscopy showed that the KC has a limited ability to maintain a coaxial position inside the arterial lumen and operators cannot rely on its self-centering property.