Hydrophilic biomaterial intravenous hydrogel catheter for complication reduction in PICC and midline catheters.

Introduction: More than 30% of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and midline catheters experience complications. Most complications are related to thrombotic cellular adherence to catheter materials.

Areas covered: This manuscript outlines PICC and midline catheter complications, the need to reduce complications and how hydrogel catheters may provide a solution to address these unmet needs based on available evidence.

Expert opinion: Patients commonly require PICC or midline catheters for treatment to establish a reliable form of intravenous access. Catheters, while reliable in most cases, are not without complications, including occlusion, thrombosis and infection, each related to cellular adherence to the catheter material. Hydrophilic catheter coatings and composites have been developed to mitigate these thrombotic complications, reduce adherence of blood and bacterial cells to catheters and provide greater patient safety with these devices. Hydrogel materials are highly biocompatible and have been effective in reducing cellular adherence and the formation of biofilms on surfaces. Smooth hydrophilic catheter surfaces are potentially more comfortable for the patient, with reduced friction during insertion and removal. A catheter constructed of hydrophilic biomaterial, a hydrogel composite material, may minimize thrombotic complications in PICC and midline catheters, improving catheter performance and outcomes for patients.