Polymerisation of cyanoacrylates: The effect of sclero-embolic and contrast agents

Objectives: The objective is to investigate the interaction of sclero-embolic and contrast agents with the polymerisation of medical grade n-butyl-cyanoacrylates. Methods: An in vitro spectrophotometric absorbance method was developed to detect changes in light transmission to measure n-BCA polymerisation. The initiation and the rate-of-polymerisation of mixtures of n-BCA with sclero-embolic and contrast agents were investigated. Results: Initiation of polymerisation: VENABLOCK (TM) and HISTOACRYL (R) were the fastest agents to polymerise, while VENASEAL (TM) was the slowest. Rate of polymerisation: Hypertonic saline inhibited the polymerisation of all n-BCAs, while hypertonic glucose prolonged the polymerisation rate. ETHANOL and detergent sclerosants had no effect. Contrast agents OMNIPAQUE (TM) and ULTRAVIST (R) initiated and prolonged the polymerisation of n-BCA, but in contrast, LIPIODOL (R) failed to initiate the process. Conclusions: The commercially available medical cyanoacrylates differ in their polymerisation rates. These polymerisation rates are further affected when these products are used in conjunction with other compounds, such as sclero-embolic and contrast agents.