In-vivo evaluation of simultaneous administration of incompatible drugs in a central venous catheter with a decreased port to port distance

Background: Multilumen catheters are commonly used in critically ill children. Their use, however, is associated with significant morbidity. We studied the simultaneous administration of incompatible drugs using a new triple-lumen catheter with decreased length and port to port distances.

      Methods:
      Ten domestic swine, 10–20 kg in weight, were divided into two
			groups of five. Total parenteral nutrition was administered through the distal
			port and phenytoin was administered as a bolus and as an infusion in each
			group. Samples were taken from two sites during the bolus and at 1, 5, and
			15 min during phenytoin infusion. Histograms were generated for particle size
			and concentration. Samples were also examined under the microscope for
			particles.
    
    
      Results:
      Histograms of particle size did not show any alteration of the
			histogram that would suggest particle size > 2 μm in diameter in the
			study or control samples. No particles were identified by phase microscope,
			light microscope, or Wright stain smear.
    
    
      Conclusions:
      The use of a triple-lumen catheter with a distance of 0.4cm
			between the proximal port and the medial port and 1.3 cm between the medial port
			and the distal port, for the in vivo simultaneous administration of
			incompatible solutions does not result in precipitates large enough to cause
			adverse clinical effects.