Bench-Top Evaluation of Air Flow through a Valved Peelable Introducer Sheath

This bench-top study revealed that a massive amount of air flowed through the open 16-F introducer sheath when it was subjected to a vacuum of −5 mm Hg, a situation that may occur under normal physiologic conditions. The rate of air flow could be decreased by aggressively pinching the sheath but the rate of air flow was still substantial. This study demonstrated that the addition of a sophisticated valve mechanism can essentially eliminate air flow through a peelable introducer sheath.