A Comparison of the Niagara (TM) and Medcomp (TM) Catheters for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Abstract

PURPOSE: The choice of vascular access catheter may affect filter life during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). In particular, differences in catheter design might affect the incidence of circuit clotting related to catheter malfunction. DESIGN AND SETTING: Sequential controlled study in a tertiary, adult intensive care unit (ICU). AIM: To compare circuit life when CRRT was performed with a Niagara catheter or a Medcomp catheter. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: We studied 46 patients with acute kidney injury requiring CRRT, all delivered with catheters in the femoral position. We obtained information on age, gender, disease severity score [acute physiology and chronic health evaluation..