Comparison of 2.4 French Microcatheters and 4 French Berenstein Cathetersin Central Venous and Portal Vein Measurements in Canines with diagnosed Intrahepatic Portal Systemic Shunts

Abstract

This study’s aim was to assess if the 2.4-F (Boston Scientific) microcatheter could be utilized to obtain similar blood pressure measurements to the 4-F Berenstein angiographic catheter (Merit Medical) in canines undergoing percutaneous transvenous coil embolization (PTCE) at the Schwartzman Animal Medical Center Interventional Radiology and Endoscopy Department. Between March 2023 and March 2024, ten canines (N=10) were enrolled for the treatment of a confirmed diagnosis of intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (IHPSS). Via Bland-Altman analysis, it was determined that both methods’ beta values showed no statistical difference between pressure values between the two catheters. Additionally, a Bland-Altman analysis was conducted with two covariates; weight and shunt type, and it was determined that neither weight nor shunt type influences the given results acquired by either method. Based on this statistical analysis, it is concluded that future clinicians may use a 2.4-F microcatheter in place of a 4-F Berenstein angiographic catheter, confident that accurate pressure measurements are achieved.