Percutaneous central dual-lumen catheter for apheresis in the canine.

The dog model has been used extensively for preclinical hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) research. Apheresis of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor mobilized peripheral blood donor stem cells is increasingly being used for transplantation. We investigated the use of a percutaneous dual-lumen central venous catheter (DLC) for large-volume apheresis in the dog model. Fifteen dogs undergoing apheresis for HSCT had catheters placed percutaneously. Apheresis was performed in all 15 dogs without complications. In comparison to the previous techniques of arteriovenous shunts for apheresis, the DLC demonstrates comparable efficacy, is more efficient and cost-effective, and is associated with a lower complication rate. We demonstrate that the percutaneous DLC is the preferable method for apheresis in the dog model.