Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/umls/id/C0441134
UMD: Catheters designed for insertion within the blood vessels. These catheters are usually long with distal tips that may be tapered and with curved proximal ends bonded to hubs or connecting devices. Their distal tips can be modified by attaching balloons or sensing devices or by placement of holes for injection of fluids (e.g., drugs, contrast material). Vascular catheters may be stiff or flexible and ideally would be nonthrombogenic, strong, flexible, and bio-compatible. They must also retain their preshaped tip configuration (i.e., have memory) and permit torque control. Most vascular catheters are made of polymers (e.g., silicone elastomer, polyurethane) and may also include metals (e.g., stainless steel). Vascular catheters are used in therapeutic (e.g., drug infusion, angioplasty) and diagnostic (e.g., angiography, pH and cardiac output measurement) procedures.