Microcatheter adhesion of cyanoacrylates: Comparison of normal butyl cyanoacrylate to 2-hexyl cyanoacrylate

PURPOSE: To compare the catheter adhesion properties of 2-hexyl cyanoacrylate (Neuracryl M), a new agent, to those of normal butyl cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl), the most widely used liquid acrylic agent for microcatheter embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 2-hexyl cyanoacrylate (Neuracryl M1) was tested in pure form and mixed with either a proprietary polymerization retardant/contrast agent (Neuracryl M2) or ethiodized oil (Ethiodol). Histoacryl was tested in pure form and mixed with Ethiodol. The cyanoacrylate mixtures were injected through microcatheters into wells partially filled with heparinized whole blood. The cyanoacrylates were allowed to polymerize around the microcatheter tips for 1-3 minutes. The microcatheters were then pulled at a constant rate until they were extracted from the polymerized cyanoacrylates. The peak forces required for extraction were recorded. RESULTS: The peak forces required to extract the microcatheters from either pure Histoacryl or Histoacryl mixed with 33% Ethiodol were significantly higher (P < .01; P < .05) than those for pure Neuracryl M1. When Neuracryl M1 and M2 were mixed together (as intended for clinical use), the force required for microcatheter extraction was significantly lower than that for either pure Histoacryl, Histoacryl mixed with 33% Ethiodol, or Neuracryl M1 alone (P < .01; P < .01; P < .01, respectively). The force required to extract microcatheters from the Neuracryl M1 and M2 mixture was not, however, significantly different from that of Histoacryl mixed with 50% Ethiodol. The force of extraction for the Neuracryl M1 and 50% Ethiodol mixture was below our ability to obtain precise measurements. CONCLUSION: When Neuracryl M1 was mixed with its proprietary polymerization retardant/contrast agent (Neuracryl M2), catheter adhesion was not significantly different from that of Histoacryl mixed with 50% Ethiodol, a mixture common in clinical use. When Neuracryl Ml was tested alone or mixed with Ethiodol (not intended by the manufacturer), catheter adhesion was significantly decreased relative to pure Histoacryl or equivalent mixtures of Histoacryl and Ethiodol.