Abstract: Methods of detecting major ischemic complications in critically ill patients comprise a) determining the blood concentration of glycerol at least once per hour; b) comparing the obtained blood concentration of glycerol with a defined critical level; and c) based on the comparison of step b), identifying patients experiencing or being at risk for major ischemic complications in order to select such patients for intensified surveillance and treatment. The methods allow early and reliable detection of major ischemic complications and identification of patients at risk for prolonged stay at an intensive care unit. The patients preferably have undergone surgical intervention with a following reperfusion or can be patients suffering from the complications of a trauma at an intensive care unit, or have undergone cardiac surgery.

Abstract: A microdialysis probe and catheter arrangement includes a catheter carrying in a distal end thereof a probe to be inserted in the body of a living being. The catheter has an elongate catheter body including a first channel for supplying a first fluid and a second channel for returning said first fluid. The first and second channels extend internally along the catheter body from a proximal end thereof to the probe. The probe includes a microdialysis membrane defining a dialysis chamber communicating with the first and second channels. A third channel extends internally along the catheter body and communicates with the second channel to supply a second fluid to thereto, thereby to increase the flow rate therein.

Abstract: A microdialysis probe and catheter arrangement includes a catheter carrying in a distal end thereof a probe to be inserted in the body of a living being. The catheter has an elongate catheter body including a first channel for supplying a first fluid and a second channel for returning said first fluid. The first and second channels extend internally along the catheter body from a proximal end thereof to the probe. The probe includes a microdialysis membrane defining a dialysis chamber communicating with the first and second channels. A third channel extends internally along the catheter body and communicates with the second channel to supply a second fluid to thereto, thereby to increase the flow rate therein.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microdialysis catheter, comprises the steps of extruding a flexible material to form an elongate catheter body having a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a plurality of continuous internal channels extending in the longitudinal direction of said catheter body; sealing a free end of said catheter body; providing in said surface at a distance from said free end an opening extending into said catheter body to communicate with a portion of a first of said channels; providing communication between said first channel and a second of said channels at a distance from said free end shorter that said distance; and covering said opening by a microdialysis membrane.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion into a blood vessel of a living being, which includes an elongated catheter body and membrane defining a dialysis chamber; a first channel provided for delivery of dialysis liquid to the dialysis chamber and a second channel provided for the discharge of dialysis liquid from the dialysis chamber, wherein the dialysis chamber comprises a plurality of tubular members, each having an inlet end and an outlet end, all the inlet ends being connected to the first channel and all the outlet ends being connected to the second channel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microdialysis catheter, comprises the steps of extruding a flexible material to form an elongate catheter body having a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a plurality of continuous internal channels extending in the longitudinal direction of said catheter body; sealing a free end of said catheter body; providing in said surface at a distance from said free end an opening extending into said catheter body to communicate with a portion of a first of said channels; providing communication between said first channel and a second of said channels at a distance from said free end shorter that said distance; and covering said opening by a microdialysis membrane.

Abstract: A catheter to be inserted into a blood vessel and guided by said blood vessel which comprises a substantially cylindrical wall structure which defines an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, an opening formed in said cylindrical wall structure which extends into said catheter body forming a microdialysis chamber therein having a proximal and distal end, a microdialysis membrane covering said opening such that said microdialysis chamber has at least a portion of said microdialysis membrane as part of its wall, first and second channels extending through at least a portion of said catheter body and having proximal and distal ends, a cross channel connecting one of said first or second channels to the more distal side of said microdialysis chamber and the other of said first or second channels connected to the more proximal side of said microdialysis chamber, said proximal ends of said first and second channels being connected to an external means for circulating, monitoring and analyz