Central Venous Access Sites for the Prevention of Venous Thrombosis, Stenosis, and Infection in Patients Requiring Long-Term Intravenous Therapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Central venous access (CVA), in which a large bore catheter is routed through a vein in the neck, upper chest, or femoral area, is required to administered drugs that cannot be given by mouth or via a conventional cannula in the arm. OBJECTIVES: We sought to establish whether the jugular, subclavian, or femoral CVA routes result in a lower incidence of venous thrombosis, venous stenosis, or infection related to CVA devices. We also sought to determine whether the circumference of a long-term CVA device influences the incidence of venous thrombosis, venous stenosis, or infection related to CVA devices. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2006, Issue 4), MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE (from inception to December 2006), reference lists of identified trials, and bibliographies of published reviews. We also contacted researchers in the field. There were no language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials comparing central venous catheter insertion routes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors assessed potentially relevant studies. We resolved disagreements by discussion. Relevant outcomes were: venous thrombosis, venous stenosis, infection related to CVA devices, mechanical complications (e.g., misplaced catheter, minor bleeding, hematoma). MAIN RESULTS: We considered 83 studies for inclusion in the review. Six studies appeared eligible, but five were subsequently excluded because they did not randomize participants for either site of access or catheter circumference size. One study was a high quality block randomized controlled trial. Allocation concealment was good and randomization was by a central computer. In all, 293 patients were randomized to a femoral or a subclavian CVA group. Results from this one trial were as follows: Catheter-related infectious complications: Infectious complication (colonization with or without sepsis: the relative risk (RR) was 4.57 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.95–10.71) favoring subclavian over femoral access. Major infectious complications (sepsis with or without bacteremia): the RR was 3.04 (95% CI: 0.63–14.82) favoring subclavian access. Colonized catheter (>103 colony-forming units/mL of Gram-positive microorganisms): the RR was 3.65 (95% CI: 1.40–9.56) favoring subclavian access. Colonized catheter (more than 103 colony-forming units/mL of Gram-negative microorganisms): the RR was 5.41 (95% CI: 1.61–18.15) favoring subclavian access. Catheter-related mechanical complications: Overall complications (arterial puncture, minor bleeding, hematoma, misplaced catheter): the RR was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.56–1.51) favoring subclavian access. Catheter-related thrombotic complications: Catheter-related thromboses (fibrin sleeves, major, and complete thrombosis): the RR was 11.53 (95% CI: 2.80–47.52) favoring subclavian access. REVIEWER’S CONCLUSIONS: Subclavian CVA is preferable to femoral CVA. Further trials of subclavian versus femoral or jugular CVA are needed. Research on the impact of catheter circumference on catheter-related complications is required. CITATION: Hamilton HC, Foxcroft DR. Central venous access sites for the prevention of venous thrombosis, stenosis and infection in patients requiring long-term intravenous therapy. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2007, Issue 3: CD 004084. Copyright© 2005. The Cochrane Collaboration. Reproduced with permission.