Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (825 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A flexible, tubular device that is used to carry fluids into or from a blood vessel, hollow organ, or body cavity.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Catheter.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Equipment and Supplies
- Narrower topics
- Cannula; Catheter Obstruction; Catheters, Indwelling; Urinary Catheters; Vascular Access Devices
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 41,757 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Catheters” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 11,993 of them (28.7%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 15,765 records.
Reviews account for 4,614 records (11.0%) and meta-analyses for 778. Randomized controlled trials number 2,371 (5.7%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 8,330 |
| 2000-2009 | 5,669 |
| 2010-2019 | 15,765 |
| 2020 onward | 11,993 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 4,614 | 11.0% |
| Meta-analyses | 778 | 1.9% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 2,371 | 5.7% |
Method: PubMed query "Catheters"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in diagnostics and medical technology
A test or device is judged by how well it detects a condition, how often it gives false alarms or misses cases, and whether using it improves outcomes for people. Accuracy depends on who is tested and how common the condition is, so a test that performs well in a specialist hospital can perform differently in the community. Check the reference standard, the population studied, the sensitivity and specificity and whether results were confirmed in a separate group.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dual energy for pulmonary vein isolation using focal ablation technology integrated with a three-dimensional mapping system: SmartfIRE 12-month results | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 10 | cc by PMID 40796332 · DOI · PMC12448222 |
| Treatment of catheter related thrombosis: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and national survey | 2026 | Meta-analysis Design not recorded in structured metadata | 5 | cc by PMID 41319857 · DOI · PMC12796749 |
| Harnessing microbial-derived metabolites in the urinary tract to prevent infection induced catheter encrustation | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 4 | cc by PMID 41184242 · DOI · PMC12583827 |
Dual energy for pulmonary vein isolation using focal ablation technology integrated with a three-dimensional mapping system: SmartfIRE 12-month results [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- AimsThe multicentre, single-arm SmartfIRE study assessed the safety and effectiveness of the novel dual-energy THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF (DE STSF) contact-force sensing catheter with multimodality generator to deliver radiofrequency (RF) and unipolar biphasic pulsed field (PF) ablation.
- Closing excerpt
- gov/study/NCT05752487).
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (360 words)
AimsThe multicentre, single-arm SmartfIRE study assessed the safety and effectiveness of the novel dual-energy THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF (DE STSF) contact-force sensing catheter with multimodality generator to deliver radiofrequency (RF) and unipolar biphasic pulsed field (PF) ablation. Three-month follow-up showed a 100% acute success rate with an acceptable safety profile. Results at 12 months postablation are summarized here.Methods and resultsPatients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent pulmonary vein isolation with the recommendation of PF ablation at posterior/inferior and RF ablation at the anterior/ridge/carina segments. The 12-month effectiveness endpoint was freedom from documented symptomatic and asymptomatic atrial arrhythmia on or off antiarrhythmic therapy (assessed by electrocardiogram, remote arrhythmia monitoring, and 24-h Holter), including acute procedural failures. Safety was assessed as the incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) related to device and/or procedure. Quality of life was evaluated via Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) scores, and healthcare utilization was assessed as hospitalization for cardiovascular events and antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) use. Of 149 patients enrolled, 140 had the study catheter inserted (safety population analysis set), and 136 met the eligibility criteria and had ablation energy delivered (per-protocol analysis set). Freedom from symptomatic and asymptomatic atrial arrhythmia at 12 months was 71.5% (84.2% when using standard-of-care monitoring only). The clinical success rate (freedom from symptomatic arrhythmia) was 86.4%, and single procedural success was 81.0% (n = 136). The rate of device- and/or procedure-related SAEs was 3.6% (5/140 patients; two cardiac tamponades, two pulmonary vein stenosis, one anaphylactic shock). At 12 months, the overall AFEQT score increased by a median 26.9 points vs. baseline. Cardiovascular hospitalization rate reduced from 20.1 to 11.9% during the 12 months before vs. after ablation, respectively. The use of Class I/III AAD decreased from 60.3% at baseline to 23.9% at 6-12 months postablation. Post hoc analysis showed that patients with high adherence to recommended inter-tag distance and PF/RF index during ablation (n = 47) had a 12-month freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence of 86.9%, while the remaining patients (n = 88) had a rate of 64.0%.ConclusionThe 12-month follow-up of the SmartfIRE study demonstrated the effectiveness, safety, and healthcare benefits of ablation using the DE STSF platform.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05752487(https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05752487).
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40796332 · DOI · PMC12448222
Treatment of catheter related thrombosis: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and national survey [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundCatheter-related thrombosis (CRT) is a known complication of central venous catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters, yet optimal treatment remains uncertain.
- Closing excerpt
- Well-designed randomized controlled trials are warranted.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (273 words)
BackgroundCatheter-related thrombosis (CRT) is a known complication of central venous catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters, yet optimal treatment remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and national survey to assess current CRT management strategies.MethodsFollowing the PRISMA guidelines, we searched three databases through October 2024 for studies on CRT associated with central venous catheters or peripherally inserted central catheters. Meta-analyses and subgroup analyses were performed by anticoagulant type. A national survey among Dutch intensive care and hematology physicians explored current treatment practices.ResultsOf 4123 records screened, 34 observational studies were included, mostly involving patients with cancer. The venous thromboembolism recurrence rate per 100 patient-years was higher in patients with cancer (14.1; 95% confidence interval, 11.4- 17.4; I2 = 35.1) vs patients without cancer (2.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-6.0; I2 = 10.3; P = .0002). Recurrence was comparable between direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and low-molecular-weight heparin/vitamin K antagonists (LMWH/VKAs), at 11.0 vs 7.6 (P = .14). Major bleeding occurred in 10.5 vs 13.1 (P = .45), and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding in 26.2 vs. 22.4 (P = .70), for DOACs vs LMWH/VKAs, respectively. All studies were observational, most at high risk of bias. Survey data showed LMWH was preferred for symptomatic CRT (50%), with treatment lasting 8 days to 6 months. In asymptomatic CRT, anticoagulant type and duration were left to physician discretion in 64% of cases.ConclusionsTreatment with LMWH/VKA or DOACs shows similarly low venous thromboembolism recurrence, although rates are higher in patients with cancer. Bleeding was substantial and comparable across therapies. Evidence is limited by observational bias. Survey data show that LMWH predominates for CRT, with variable duration. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are warranted.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41319857 · DOI · PMC12796749
Harnessing microbial-derived metabolites in the urinary tract to prevent infection induced catheter encrustation [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Proteus mirabilis is a predominant cause of catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), and a key virulence factor is its urease enzyme which can increase urine pH and form urinary stones, causing catheter blockage and facilitating bacteremia.
- Closing excerpt
- Prophylactic use of urease dampening metabolites with AHA could improve the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment against catheter biofilms.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (192 words)
Proteus mirabilis is a predominant cause of catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), and a key virulence factor is its urease enzyme which can increase urine pH and form urinary stones, causing catheter blockage and facilitating bacteremia. The only FDA approved urease inhibitor, acetohydroxamic acid (AHA), has side effects that limit its clinical use, necessitating new approaches to target urease activity. We previously discovered that common urinary tract colonizers modulate P. mirabilis urease activity via secreted small molecules. In this study, we conduct a metabolomics analysis of six modulatory bacterial species to reveal urease-dampening metabolites. Of 31 candidate metabolites, seven reproducibly decrease P. mirabilis urease activity. All seven metabolites dampen urease activity in other urease-positive bacterial species, suggesting conserved targets. Six of the metabolites act via mixed inhibition of the urease enzyme. One metabolite, D-imidazole lactate, exhibits a non-competitive mechanism of urease inhibition along with antimicrobial activity and repression of the urease operon in P. mirabilis. Metabolite combinations with AHA demonstrate synergistic activity and prevent catheter encrustation in an in vitro model for CAUTI. Prophylactic use of urease dampening metabolites with AHA could improve the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment against catheter biofilms.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41184242 · DOI · PMC12583827
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Risk of Death Following Application of Paclitaxel-Coated Balloons and Stents in the Femoropopliteal Artery of the Leg: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials [4]
- Research article Attributable mortality of central line associated bloodstream infection: systematic review and meta-analysis [5]
- Research article Antimicrobial lock solutions for the prevention of infections associated with intravascular catheters in patients undergoing hemodialysis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials [6]
- Research article The risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection with femoral venous catheters as compared to subclavian and internal jugular venous catheters: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis [7]
- Research article A systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing the use of Foley catheters, misoprostol, and dinoprostone for cervical ripening in the induction of labour [8]
- Research article Can High-flow Nasal Cannula Reduce the Rate of Endotracheal Intubation in Adult Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure Compared With Conventional Oxygen Therapy and Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation?: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [9]
References
- De Potter T, Scherr D, Pürerfellner H, Račkauskas G, Hansen J, Vijgen J, et al.. Dual energy for pulmonary vein isolation using focal ablation technology integrated with a three-dimensional mapping system: SmartfIRE 12-month results. . 2025. PMID 40796332 · DOI · PMC12448222
- Oomen LA, van Diest J, Lucas FRM, Rijpkema J, Burchell GL, van Zanten FJL, et al.. Treatment of catheter related thrombosis: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and national survey. . 2026. PMID 41319857 · DOI · PMC12796749
- Guterman LB, Motsay M, Hunt BC, Brauer AL, Learman BS, Wijayahena MK, et al.. Harnessing microbial-derived metabolites in the urinary tract to prevent infection induced catheter encrustation. . 2025. PMID 41184242 · DOI · PMC12583827
- Katsanos K, Spiliopoulos S, Kitrou P, Krokidis M, Karnabatidis D. Risk of Death Following Application of Paclitaxel-Coated Balloons and Stents in the Femoropopliteal Artery of the Leg: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Am Heart Assoc. 2018. PMID 30561254 · DOI · PMC6405619
- Ziegler MJ, Pellegrini DC, Safdar N. Attributable mortality of central line associated bloodstream infection: systematic review and meta-analysis. Infection. 2015. PMID 25331552 · DOI
- Yahav D, Rozen-Zvi B, Gafter-Gvili A, Leibovici L, Gafter U, Paul M. Antimicrobial lock solutions for the prevention of infections associated with intravascular catheters in patients undergoing hemodialysis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Clin Infect Dis. 2008. PMID 18498236 · DOI
- Marik PE, Flemmer M, Harrison W. The risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection with femoral venous catheters as compared to subclavian and internal jugular venous catheters: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. Crit Care Med. 2012. PMID 22809915 · DOI
- Chen W, Xue J, Peprah MK, Wen SW, Walker M, Gao Y, et al.. A systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing the use of Foley catheters, misoprostol, and dinoprostone for cervical ripening in the induction of labour. BJOG. 2016. PMID 26538408 · DOI
- Ni YN, Luo J, Yu H, Liu D, Ni Z, Cheng J, et al.. Can High-flow Nasal Cannula Reduce the Rate of Endotracheal Intubation in Adult Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure Compared With Conventional Oxygen Therapy and Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation?: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Chest. 2017. PMID 28089816 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.