In this comparative study of catheter materials used in central venous catheterization (CVC) into large veins, the overall frequency of CVC‐induced thrombosis was 12%. A 20% incidence of CVC‐induced thrombosis with siliconized polyethylene catheter, 9% with Teflon® catheter, and 6% with heparinized polyethylene catheter was seen. Thrombosis thus was significantly less common with Teflon® and heparinized polyethylene than with siliconized polyethylene (p<0.05). Repeat arm phlebography was performed in 15 patients and revealed no late formation or progression of thrombosis. Pulmonary embolism appeared in 2 patients and was fatal in one of them.

This investigation was designed to evaluate the effect of the common topical nasal decongestant oxymetazoline hydrochloride on the early local tissue defense in an experimental bacterial infection. For that purpose, a bilateral infection of the maxillary sinus was induced in 14 rabbits. Nose drops (oxymetazoline) were instilled in one nasal cavity, and placebo in the other. After 48 hours, the degree of infection was judged by using a semiquantitative inflammatory score to evaluate histologic preparations of the maxillary sinuses. On the oxymetazoline-treated side, we found a significantly higher degree of inflammation. We conclude that oxymetazoline nose drops, commonly used in acute rhinitis and sinusitis, interfere with the normal defense mechanisms during bacterially induced sinusitis, possibly by a decrease in mucosal blood flow.

In a prospective study, biopsies were taken from the septal mucosa in 21 patients of whom 11 had been using topical nasal corticosteroids. In contrast to the effect of long-term treatment with corticosteroids in the skin, but in accordance with previous investigations of the nasal mucosa, no histopathological changes of significance were found, although the biopsies were taken from different sites. These findings do not suggest that topically corticosteroids are harmful to the nasal mucosa.

Different frequences of thrombosis due to central venous catheters (CVC) is reported. Only few studies have compared the thrombogenecity of different catheter materials. This study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the frequency of thrombotic complications with three catheter materials.MATERIAL: The patients were randomized into three groups receiving: teflon catheter, siliconized polyethylen. catheter and heparinized polyethylen catheter.METHODS: Percutanous insertion (subclavian or internal jugular vein) was made under strict aseptic conditions as well as the daily care of the CVC. The condition of the veins was assessed by either phlebography or post-mortem examination. Phlebography was usually made on the seventh day after insertion of the CVC by contrast injection in a cubital vein.RESULTS: Of 110 patients 99 were examined by phlebography and 20 by post-mortem.Repeat phlebography was made after 3 to 4 weeks use of CVC in 14 patients and showed no late thrombotic development. Two patients had pulmonary embolism, one with fatal outcome. No other source for embolism than the thrombosis around the CVC was found.CONCLUSION: The siliconized polyethylencatheter had a significantly higher frequency of thrombosis than teflon or heparinized polyethylen catheters had. CVC did not give any late thrombotic development. Two patients developed pulmonary embolism, one with fatal outcome.

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