In order to investigate new approaches in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of infectious complicating
chemotherapy-induced
granulocytopenia, we developed and prospectively evaluated a method of chronic central venous catheterization for the induction, maintenance and support of persistent
granulocytopenia in rabbits. The method entails a central venous
silastic catheter with a subcutaneous tunnel and a
heparin lock device for repeated non-traumatic sampling of blood and administration of medications. During the course of 10 months, 226 rabbits were studied. Mean duration of
catheter placement was 27 days, 17 of which were spent in
granulocytopenia. Two-way flow was sustained throughout the duration of placement in 205 rabbits (91%) and for 5,845 (95%) of a total 6,163
catheter-days. All but two
catheters could be flushed throughout the duration of their placement. Postoperative infectious complications related to
catheter insertion developed in less than 1% of the rabbits. This method of chronic catheterization safely provides long-term venous access for studies requiring frequent venous access, including the painless induction, maintenance, and support of chronic
granulocytopenia in rabbits.