Determination of the Root Causes of Obstructions of Catheters in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Treated by Insulin Implanted Pumps

In patients with type 1 diabetes treated by implanted pumps using intra-peritoneal delivery, the incidence of peritoneal catheter obstructions is close to 12 per 100 patient-years. Variability of occurrence is however important between patients. Fibrin, aggregates of insulin and fibrotic tissue have been found inside the catheter lumen at peritoneal tip or forming a capsule around the catheter. This study will investigate with more precision the nature of catheter blockages and look for potential causes of these obstructions such as stability of insulin in the pump reservoir, immune reactions against insulin or catheter components in patient plasma, prothrombotic factors in patient blood. Blood samples and insulin from pump reservoir will be collected at baseline (inclusion). During the following one year period, each catheter presenting an obstruction or needing a change associated with pump change will be collected and explored. Blood and insulin samples will be collected again for comparison with initial samples. Investigations will be performed in collaboration with Pr Burgess' team at the School of Pharmacy of the University of Connecticut. From obtained results, models replicating the conditions of obstruction will be elaborated and tested in rodents at the University of Connecticut. Solutions will be proposed to reduce the occurrence of obstruction of peritoneal catheters as an outcome of the study.