When catheter function begins to decline, the instinct is often to troubleshoot the device itself. This brief introduces a practical diagnostic framework that helps research teams look beyond the catheter to identify workflow issues that may be contributing to study variability, lost patency, and inconsistent outcomes.

Inside this Expert Brief:

• A diagnostic framework for evaluating common catheter performance challenges
• Questions to ask before replacing a catheter
• A system review checklist for planning, surgery, recovery, maintenance, and documentation
• Strategies for improving consistency, supporting welfare, and reducing avoidable variability

This Expert Brief was developed with input from President of Preclinical Research Associates, Brad Gien following the webinar Best Practices in Vascular and Non-Vascular Catheterizations in Rodents.