flush catheter
Specialized angiographic catheter designed for high-volume contrast injection to opacify large vessel territories.
Full Definition
A flush catheter, also known as a pigtail catheter due to its characteristic curved tip configuration, is designed for rapid, high-volume contrast injection during aortography and large vessel angiography. The catheter features multiple side holes near the tip to distribute contrast evenly and reduce injection pressure, minimizing the risk of vessel injury or dissection. The pigtail design helps center the catheter within the vessel lumen and prevents tip impaction against vessel walls during high-pressure injections. These catheters are commonly used for aortic root angiography, abdominal aortography, and pulmonary angiography where wide field opacification is required.
Usage
Usage note: Specify catheter size and tip configuration when documenting device selection for angiographic procedures.
In Context
- "A 5-French flush catheter was positioned in the infrarenal aorta for runoff angiography." — Procedure report
- "The flush catheter allowed complete opacification of bilateral lower extremity vessels." — Angiographic documentation