Central Venous Catheter Insertion Research Articles

A comparison of internal jugular vein cannulation versus supraclavicular brachiocephalic vein cannulation using ultrasound guidance

Background: Ultrasound has become the standard of care for the insertion of central venous catheters (CVCs) in the intensive care unit. With the introduction of ultrasonography in CVC insertion, there has been an improvement in the success rate and a dramatic decrease in the rate of complications. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the safety and ease of insertion of ultrasonically guided cannulation of the internal jugular vein (IJV) with that of the supraclavicular subclavian vein (SCV) in adult patients undergoing various surgical procedures. Materials and Methods: All the patients in whom central venous cannulation was planned were assigned to two groups. Group I underwent ultrasound-guided IJV while as Group II underwent cannulation ultrasound-guided SCV cannulation. A comparison was made between the two groups, of the success rates, durations of procedure, number of attempts at needle redirections, difficulties if any during insertion of guidewires, and the complications encountered. Results: The IJV group had a higher proportion of first-attempt success (93.2% versus 62.7%). The IJV group had a lesser incidence (3.2%) of complications such as guidewire progression and needle redirections compared with SCV (15.2%). The frequency of adverse events did not differ between the two study groups with an incidence in 3.2% in IJV group and 9.6% in the subclavian group. Higher first-attempt success rates and fewer procedural complications were seen with ultrasound-guided IJV. Conclusion: IJV central venous catheterization is an easier and less invasive and less risky procedure for patients.

Should Blood Cultures Be Drawn Through an Indwelling Catheter?

There is no practical way to definitively diagnose a catheter-related bloodstream infection in situ if blood cultures are only obtained percutaneously unless there is the rare occurrence of purulent drainage from a central venous catheter insertion site. That is why the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for diagnosis and management of catheter-related bloodstream infections and Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for evaluation of fever in critically ill patients both recommend drawing blood cultures from a central venous catheter and percutaneously if the catheter is a suspected source of infection. However, central venous catheter-drawn blood cultures may be more likely to be positive reflecting catheter hub, connector, or intraluminal colonization, and many hospitals in the United States discourage blood culture collection from catheters in an effort to reduce reporting of central-line associated bloodstream infections to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As such, clinical decisions are made regarding catheter removal or other therapeutic interventions based on incomplete and potentially inaccurate data. We urge clinicians to obtain catheter-drawn blood cultures when the catheter may be the source of suspected infection.

Survival, cumulative hospital days and infectious complications in urgent-start PD compared with urgent-start HD.

Urgent-start peritoneal dialysis (PD) carries a similar efficacy and safety profile compared to urgent-start haemodialysis (HD) but is only sparsely applied due to resource issues and concerns of complication risks. Furthermore, few data exist on adverse outcomes associated with central venous catheter (CVC) insertions in urgent-start HD patients. Thus, we sought to compare patient and dialysis-related outcomes in patients undergoing urgent-start PD or HD. All patients initiating urgent-start PD in a tertiary research hospital in 2005-2018 were included in this retrospective, single-centre, comparative study and matched with urgent-start HD patients of similar age and chronic kidney disease aetiology. All urgent-start PDs were initiated within 72 h after catheter insertion, and urgent-start HDs were performed via a CVC. All analyses were performed at 3 months and at 1 year of follow-up, respectively. Thirty-three patients who commenced urgent-start PD and 58 matched urgent-start HD control patients were included. Altogether, 26 patients (29%; PD: 36%, HD 24%) died within the 1-year follow-up, and patient survival was similar at 3 months (hazard ratio (HR): 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.35-3.81, p = 0.82) and at 1 year of follow-up (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.30-1.39, p = 0.26) between the study groups. There were no differences in the total kidney replacement therapy (KRT)-related infection rate (p = 0.66) or cumulative first-year hospital care days (p = 0.43) between the treatment groups. Altogether, 139 CVCs were inserted during the 1-year follow-up. The number of CVCs per patient was associated with the emergence of blood culture-positive bacteraemia and increased cumulative first-year hospital care days. Patient survival, cumulative first-year hospital care days and total KRT-related infection rate at 3 months and 1-year follow-up are similar between urgent-start PD and urgent-start HD patients. Furthermore, CVC insertion rate is associated with incident blood culture-positive bacteraemia and increased cumulative first-year hospital care days.

Technology-enhanced training for central venous catheter insertion training: a reflective essay

Abstract With the advancement of innovative technology, healthcare professionals stand to benefit from adjustments to procedural skills training/assessment introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this essay, we reflect on the development of a virtual reality (VR)-based training programme to support medical and nursing staff in procedural skills for central venous catheter (CVC) insertion, related communication skills and situation awareness. The remote delivery was a direct response to the impact of the pandemic and is likely to remain as an educational strategy on our centre.

763 Is Central Venous Catheter the Main Culprit for Clinically Significant Venous Thromboembolism in Burn Patients

Abstract Introduction Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant clinical problem for burn patients. The incidence of VTE has been reported as 0.25% to 47.1%. Known risk factors include large burn size, increasing age, male gender, active smoker or alcohol use, blood transfusion and surgeries. Central venous line (CVL) use is also a known risk factor for VTE. With all the known factors, we retrospectively analyzed our patients with VTE. Methods Retrospective chart review was performed on a single institution burn center in the calendar year of 2022. Pediatric patients were excluded. Following data were collected: age, burn size, mechanism, length of hospital stays, VTE diagnosis, VTE chemoprophylaxis, and central venous line days. VTE diagnosis was made using CT venogram or ultrasound. This project was a quality improvement initiative. Results There were 420 patients in the study period. Of all the admitted patients, there were 6 patients diagnosed with 7 VTE. One patient had 2 separate diagnoses of VTE at 2 distinct period and anatomical site. The incidence of VTE is 1.7%. Upon further chart review, all the VTE were at the site of central venous catheters. All the patients were on VTE chemoprophylaxis. The correlation between burn size, age, length of hospital stay and VTE was not significant. Conclusions Risk of VTE is high in burn patients due to the correlation with the Virchow’s Triad. All the patients admitted to the burn unit are placed on chemoprophylaxis unless contraindicated. The 7 patients diagnosed with VTE were on chemoprophylaxis. All the VTE were at the site of central venous catheter insertion sites, which is a known complication of catheters. The incident of 1.7% is on par with VTE incidents of burn patients, but much less than VTE caused by central venous catheters in non-burn patients. Large multicenter data collection is needed to validate this finding. Applicability of Research to Practice Directly appliable

Results of a long-term, prospective study on complications of central venous catheter in pediatric patients with hematologic-oncologic diseases.

Central venous catheter (CVC)-related complications remain a significant cause of morbidity in pediatric hematology-oncology. We prospectively surveyed the incidence of CVC-related complications in children with hematologic-oncologic diseases. Five-hundred-eighty-one CVCs were inserted in 421 patients from January 2010 to June 2022 (153,731 CVC days observation; follow-up data up to December 31, 2022). Overall, 671 complications were recorded (4.365/1000 CVC days): 49.7% malfunctions (1.88/1000 CVC days, 4.8% of CVC early removals), 23.9% bacteremia (0.90/1000, 15.1%), 19.6% mechanical complications (0.74/1000, 70.2%), 20.1% localized infections (0.76/1000, 17.1%), 0.5% thrombosis (0.02/1000, 33.3%). At multivariate analysis, risk factors for malfunction were Broviac-Hickman type of CVC (hazard ratio [HR] 2.5) or Port-a-cath (HR 3.4) or Proline (HR 4.3), p<.0001; for bacteremia double-lumen CVC (HR 3.2, p<.0001); for mechanical complications age at CVC insertion under median (HR 4.5, p<.0001) and Broviac-Hickman (HR 1.6) or Proline (HR 2.7), p=.01; finally for localized infections Broviac-Hickman (HR 2.9) or Proline (HR 4.4), p=.0001. The 2-year cumulative incidence of premature removal was 23.5%, and risk factors were age at CVC insertion under median (HR 2.4, p<.0001), Broviac-Hickman (HR 2.3) or Proline (HR 4.2), p<.0001. Premature removal occurs in approximately 20%-25% of long-term CVCs. A surveillance program has a fundamental role in identifying the risk factors for CVC complications and the areas of intervention to improve CVC management.

The impact of delirium on clinical and functional outcomes in hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Delirium, which is prevalent in critical care settings, remains underexplored in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of delirium in patients with ACS admitted to the CICU. A prospective study (n = 106, mean age 74.2 ± 5.7 years) assessed delirium using the confusion assessment method-intensive care unit (CAM-ICU) tool in 21.7% of ACS patients during their CICU stay. Baseline characteristics, geriatric conditions and clinical procedures were compared between delirious and nondelirious patients. The outcomes included in-hospital mortality, 30-day and 6-month mortality, acute adverse events and length of CICU stay and hospital stay (LOS). Delirious patients who were older and had a higher incidence of coronary artery disease underwent more complex procedures (e.g., pacemaker placement). Multivariate analysis identified central venous catheter insertion, urinary catheterization and benzodiazepine use as independent predictors of delirium. Delirium was correlated with prolonged LOS (p < .001) and increased in-hospital, 30-day and 6-month mortality (p < .001). Delirium in ACS patients in the CICU extends hospitalization and increases in-hospital, 30-day and 6-month mortality. Early recognition and targeted interventions are crucial for mitigating adverse outcomes in this high-risk population. This study highlights the critical impact of delirium on outcomes in hospitalized patients with ACS in the CICU. Delirium, often overlooked in ACS management, significantly extends hospitalization and increases mortality rates. Nurses and physicians must be vigilant in identifying delirium early, particularly in older ACS patients or those with comorbidities. Recognizing independent predictors such as catheterization and benzodiazepine use allows for targeted interventions to reduce delirium incidence. Integrating routine delirium assessments and preventive strategies into ACS management protocols can improve outcomes, optimize resource utilization and enhance overall patient care in the CICU setting.

Safety and efficacy of large-bore uncovered stents for treating malignant superior vena cava syndrome

PurposeTo investigate the safety and efficacy of large-bore uncovered stents for treating malignant superior vena cava syndrome. MethodsThis retrospective study included 115 patients (89 men, 26 women; mean age 63.2 years; range 21–83 years) who underwent endovascular large-bore (≥18 mm in diameter) uncovered stent placement between August 2015 and July 2022. One patient was lost to follow-up. Therefore, 114 patients were available for follow-up. ResultsStent placement was technically successful in all 115 patients. Minor procedure-related complications occurred in nine (7.8 %) patients. One hundred eight (93.9 %) patients experienced complete or marked symptomatic relief (Kishi score ≤ 2) at a mean of 3 days after procedure. The cumulative stent patency rates were 98.2 %, 95 %, 93.7 %, 91.5 %, 83.5 %, and 83.5 % at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. Stent occlusion occurred in ten (8.8 %) of 114 patients at a mean of 215 days (range 1–732 days) due to thrombosis (n = 7) and tumor ingrowth (n = 3). Stent occlusion did not occur in 21 patients who underwent subsequent central venous catheter insertion. The median patient survival time was 159 days (95 % confidence interval 102–216 days). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed adjuvant anticancer treatment (p = 0.001) and tumor response (p < 0.001) as independent predictors of patient survival. ConclusionsEndovascular placement of large-bore uncovered stents was a safe and effective treatment for malignant superior vena cava syndrome. Large-bore stent placement can effectively prevent stent occlusion by tumor ingrowth in most cases, and it can provide a sufficient diameter for subsequent insertion of central venous catheters.

A Simple and Safe Method for Checking the Position of Central Venous Catheters-A New and Reliable Threshold for Right Atrial Swirl Sign in Microbubbles Tests.

Background: Central venous catheters (CVCs) are indispensable tools in intensive care and emergency medicine. CVC malpositions still occur frequently and can cause various complications leading to increased patient mortality. A microbubbles test (MBT) can be used to confirm correct CVC positioning. However, there is serious doubt regarding whether the currently applied threshold of a 2 s push-to-bubbles time (PTB time) for rapid atrial swirl sign (RASS) in an MBT is reliable and accurate. The aim of the present study was to prove the quality of a new threshold: 1 s. Methods: Consecutive patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in a German neurological specialist hospital from 1 March 2021 to 20 July 2022 were enrolled. After ultrasound-guided CVC insertion, an MBT was performed, PTB time was measured, and RASS was interpreted. Additionally, a chest X-ray (CXR) was requested to check CVC position. Results: A total of 102 CVCs (98% jugular and 2% subclavian) were inserted in 102 patients (38% female and 62% male; median age: 66 years). Negative RASS (PTB time > 1 s) was observed in 2 out of 102 patients, resulting in an echocardiographic malposition rate of 2.0%. CXR confirmed the echocardiographic results. After correcting CVC position in the initially malpositioned CVCs, the PTB time was <1 s (positive RASS). The MBT protocol took about 0.5 min on average, while the CXR results were all available within 30 min. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value were each 100% for the detection of CVC malpositions via an MBT using a threshold of 1 s compared to CXR. Conclusions: A new threshold of a 1 s PTB time for RASS in an MBT could detect CVC malpositions with excellent quality compared to CXR. Since the MBT was fast and safe and could be performed at the bedside, we propose that an MBT with the new and reliable threshold of 1 s should be routinely used in patient care.

Surgical Extraction of Residual CVC Guide Wire after One Year: Case Report

Complete remaining guide wire in the vascular system after CVC is very rare. For which the maximum symptom-free reporting time in studies was five months, and in our case, the patient was symptom-free for one year. The only finding was one session complaining of ear pain and mastoid tenderness two weeks after catheter placement.&#x0D; A 42-year-old male patient with the diagnosis of necrotizing pancreatitis and a retroperitoneal abscess was a candidate for laparotomy after ERCP. The patient was a candidate for central venous catheter insertion through the internal jugular vein before the surgery in the operating room by a third-year anesthesia resident. After one year, discovered that incidentally remaining guide wire during a follow-up MRI before pancreatitis. Which has been asymptomatic during this period. And despite the risk of rupture of the right heart and blood vessels due to possible fibrosis due to a long stay in the cardiovascular system, it is successfully removed by an endovascular surgeon.&#x0D; The main reasons for the incident were the non-observance of scientific and safety principles at the time of catheter insertion and the failure to perform CXR after that

The Frequency, Severity, and Risk Factors of Hickman CatheterRelated Complications in Pediatric Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Experience from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This study aimed to identify the frequency, severity, and risk factors associated with Hickman catheter-related complications in children with hemato-oncological malignancies at the largest pediatric tertiary care unit in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a cohort of pediatric cancer patients who underwent Hickman central venous catheters (CVCs) between January 2019 and December 2022. Mechanical, infectious, and thrombotic Hickman catheter-related complications were evaluated and analyzed. We also investigated possible risk factors associated with these complications. Seventy-one Hickman CVCs were inserted in 68 children (44 boys and 24 girls) at a mean age of 6.9 ± 4.6. Forty (58.8%) children had hematological malignancies and 28 (41.2%) solid cancers. The median follow-up after Hickman CVC insertion was 190 days (95% CI [160-212]) for 12 644 catheter days. During follow-up, 10 (14.1%) mechanical, 7 (9.9%) infectious, and 1 (1.4%) thrombotic complications were recorded (0.8, 0.48, and 0.08 for mechanical, infectious, and thrombotic complications per 1000 catheter days, respectively). A slightly higher incidence of complications was recorded in children with hematological malignancies (1.59 per 1000 catheter days) compared with children with solid cancers (1.22 complications per 1000 catheter days). Using Hickman CVCs for long-term venous access in infusional chemotherapy for pediatric cancer patients is safe but is associated with significant morbidity.

A Comparison of Techniques of Internal Jugular Vein Cannulation: Anatomical Landmark, Ultrasound Guided Pre-location, and Real-Time Ultrasound Guided.

The objective of our study is to compare the success rate, duration, and incidence of complications of a right internal jugular vein (IJV) cannulation by using three different techniques. A randomised controlled trial was conducted at atertiary care teaching hospital. A total of201 patients were randomly allocated to one of the following three groups (67 in each group). Techniques were categorised as anatomical landmark technique group (Group ALT), ultrasound guided pre-location group (Group USG-Pre), and real-time ultrasound-guided technique group (Group USG-RT). Central venous catheter insertion via three techniques. In 138 (73.01%) patients' IJV canulated in the first attempt, USG-RT, USG-Pre, and ALT were 51 (83.6%), 44 (72.1%), and 43 (64.2%), respectively. On the other hand, 37 (19.57%) patients were required in the second attempt, while only 14 (7.40%) patients were required in the third attempt for successful IJV cannulation. The success rates, as defined in our study, were only 138 (73%) as, in 51 (27%), we cannulated in more than a single attempt or switched to another technique. We found a significant difference in preparation time in all techniques as P-value <0.05, but no significant difference was found in venous access time, cannulation time, and duration of the procedure. Any technique can be used for IJV cannulation, but the most acceptable is the real-time US technique. However, no difference in the overall procedure time among all three techniques was noted, and no major incidence of complication was found.

Ultrasound-Guided Insertion of Pediatric Central Venous Catheter

Ultrasound-Guided Insertion of Pediatric Central Venous Catheter

The Use of a High Flow PICC Catheter for Stem Cell and Lymphocyte Apheresis: The Initial Experience of a Pediatric Oncology Center in Brazil

BackgroundAutologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), characterized by high intensity chemotherapy followed by the infusion of HSC previously collected from the peripheral blood, is a procedure used in the treatment of several malignancies. In pediatrics, the apheresis procedure represents a challenge, due to the need for insertion of a rigid central venous catheter (CVC) in small children. The CVC is usually used for stem cell collection and then removed. Later, the patient will need a new device for cell infusion. AimWe propose the use of one single catheter for both apheresis and infusion. MethodsWe present five children between 1 and 13 years of age who underwent apheresis using a high flow PICC catheter surgically inserted. ResultsAll patients utilized a PICC line double lumen 5Fr (PowerPICC™ 5Fr DL BARD/USA) placed in the brachiocephalic vein tunneled on the chest, inserted under 24 h prior to apheresis to assure the devices were pervious. Three of the patients were diagnosed with solid tumor and one with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) awaiting Car-T Cell therapy. The four children who underwent autologous HSCT used the same catheter for cell infusion and remained with the catheter following discharge. The child who was submitted for Car-T Cell still awaits infusion and the catheter was removed. ConclusionsHigh flow PICC is a viable alternative for apheresis to maintain an adequate flow of 5 ml/s and can be used as a single catheter throughout the HSCT process, reducing the risks from anesthesia and the catheter insertion procedure. Type of StudyClinical Research.

No contraindication to internal jugular central venous catheter insertion in patients at increased risk of bleeding: Results from a prospective observational study in a internal medicine department.

Implantation of centrally inserted central venous catheter (CICC) may be complicated by bleedings particularly in patients with severe coagulopathy or taking antithrombotic drugs. It has been shown that the application of the Italian Group for Venous Access Devices (GAVeCeLT) bundle reduces the incidence of bleeding in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU), but its effectiveness has never been demonstrated in different contexts. In this study we evaluated the incidence of bleeding after urgent internal jugular CICC (J-CICC) implantation in patients with increased or no risk of bleeding complications when recommended preventive strategies are applied systematically. We included 185 patients admitted to Internal Medicine Units who underwent urgent J-CICC implantation from April 2016 to December 2018. The incidence of major and minor bleeding immediately after the procedure and in the following 30 days was recorded. None of the enrolled patients showed major bleeding. The incidence of minor bleedings was 2.1% (95% IC: 0.03-4.2) with two patients requiring line removal and repositioning (1.1%; 95% IC: -0.45 to 2.6). Bleeds were not correlated with age or sex, although they all occurred in female subjects. The incidence of bleeds was not increased in patients with increased risk of bleeding compared with those without (5.0% vs 1.3%; p = 0.16). The use of anti-thrombotic medications was significantly associated with increased risk of minor bleedings (p = 0.03). In this study we demonstrated that the application of the GAVeCeLT suggested bundle can minimize the number of bleeding complications even in patients hospitalized in Internal Medicine Units. Further data are needed in patients taking antithrombotic drugs who appear to be more prone to minor bleeding, however the benefit of completing the procedure appears to significantly outweigh the risk of mechanical complications.

Vascular access challenges in hemodialysis children.

Hemodialysis (HD) success is dependent mainly on vascular access (VA). The aim of this study is to share the experience of Pediatric Nephrology Unit (PNU), Cairo University Children's Hospital (CUCH), with VA-related obstacles in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) HD children. This is a retrospective analysis of VA related data of 187 ESKD children received regular HD over 3year duration (2019-2021). Kaplan-Meier curves were used to present arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and cuffed catheters survivals. Uncuffed central venous catheter (CVC) was the primary VA for HD in up to 97.3% with 2.7% of patients had AVF performed and attained maturation before initiation of regular HD. Fifty-six (29.9%) patients have inserted 120 tunneled CVCs. AVFs & AV grafts (AVF) were performed in 79 (42.2%) and 6 (3.2%) patients respectively. There were 112 uncuffed CVCs implanted beneath the screen in Rt internal jugular vein (IJV) (44%) Lt IJV (17%), right internal mammary vein (2.7%) while Trans hepatic (TH) technique was used to place 39 uncuffed CVCs (34%) in the inferior vena cava (IVC). Catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) was the most frequent complication in uncuffed and cuffed CVCs (2.58 / 100 catheters day and 10.1 /1000 catheter days respectively). AVFs achieved a high success rate (83%) after 757.71 ± 512.3 functioning days. Native AVF is the preferred VA for pediatric HD but its creation is limited by the small sized vessels where non-cuffed CVC could be a reasonable relatively long-term alternative. Challenging situations (occluded central veins) could benefit from TH technique of CVC insertion in IVC.

Utilization of Point-of-Care Ultrasound as an Imaging Modality in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an imaging modality that has become a fundamental part of clinical care provided in the emergency department (ED). The applications of this tool in the ED have ranged from resuscitation, diagnosis, and therapeutic to procedure guidance. This review aims to summarize the evidence on the use of POCUS for diagnosis and procedure guidance. To achieve this, CrossRef, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were extensively searched for studies published between January 2000 and November 2023. Additionally, the risk of bias assessment was performed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (for studies on the diagnostic role of POCUS) and Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (for studies on the use of POCUS for procedure guidance). Furthermore, diagnostic accuracy outcomes were pooled using STATA 16 software (StatCorp., College Station, TX, USA), while outcomes related to procedure guidance were pooled using the Review Manager software. The study included 81 articles (74 evaluating the diagnostic application of POCUS and seven evaluating the use of POCUS in guiding clinical procedures). In our findings sensitivities and specificities for various conditions were as follows: appendicitis, 65% and 89%; hydronephrosis, 82% and 74%; small bowel obstruction, 93% and 82%; cholecystitis, 75% and 96%; retinal detachment, 94% and 91%; abscess, 95% and 85%; foreign bodies, 67% and 97%; clavicle fractures, 93% and 94%; distal forearm fractures, 97% and 94%; metacarpal fractures, 94% and 92%; skull fractures, 91% and 97%; and pleural effusion, 91% and 97%. A subgroup analysis of data from 11 studies also showed that the two-point POCUS has a sensitivity and specificity of 89% and 96%, while the three-point POCUS is 87% sensitive and 92% specific in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. In addition, the analyses showed that ultrasound guidance significantly increases the overall success rate of peripheral venous access (p = 0.02) and significantly reduces the number of skin punctures (p = 0.01) compared to conventional methods. In conclusion,POCUS can be used in the ED to diagnose a wide range of clinical conditions accurately. Furthermore, it can be used to guide peripheral venous access and central venous catheter insertion.

Pathogenic characteristics and influence factors of bloodstream infection-induced severe sepsis in pediatric intensive care unit

Objective: To summarize the pathogenic characteristics of bloodstream infection (BSI)-induced severe sepsis and analyze the influence factors in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods: Pediatric patients who were diagnosed with severe sepsis caused by BSI in the PICU of Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2016 to December 2021 were retrospectively selected and divided into survival group and death group according to their discharge outcomes. Clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, pathogenic characteristics and drug resistance of the patients were collected. The characteristics of pathogens, clinical and laboratory indicators were summarized, and the influencing factors of death in children with severe sepsis caused by BSI were analyzed based on binary multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 132 patients, aged [M (Q1, Q3)] 36 (10, 119) months, with BSI-induced severe sepsis were enrolled in this study, including 81 males and 51 females. There were 38 cases aged 36 (15, 120) months in the death group, including 23 males and 15 females. There were 94 cases, aged 36 (8, 108) months, in the survival group, including 58 males and 36 females. A total of 132 strains of pathogens were isolated, including 87 strains (65.9%) of Gram-negative bacteria. The top 5 pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (24 cases, 18.2%), Escherichia coli (17 cases, 12.9%), Acinetobacter baumannii (13 cases, 9.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10 cases, 7.6%) and Staphylococcus aureus (10 cases, 7.6%). The proportion of multi-drug resistant bacteria in hospital-acquired BSI was higher than that in community-acquired BSI [52.9% (36/68) vs 15.6% (10/64), P=0.001]. The proportions of community-acquired infection were 58.5% (55/94) and 23.7% (9/38) in the survival and death groups, respectively, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The proportion of central venous catheter insertion before bloodstream infection in the death group was higher than that in the survival group [63.2% (24/38) vs 42.6% (40/94), P=0.034]. According to the binary multivariate logistic regression analysis, hospital-acquired infection (OR=4.80, 95%CI: 1.825-12.621, P=0.001), absolute neutrophil count (ANC) (OR=0.93, 95%CI: 0.863-0.993, P=0.030) and decreased albumin (OR=0.89, 95%CI: 0.817-0.977, P=0.014) were risk factors for death. Conclusions: The common pathogen of BSI-induced severe sepsis in PICU is Gram-negative bacteria. The proportion of multi-drug resistant organisms of BSI obtained in hospitals is high. Children with severe sepsis due to BSI with nosocomial acquired infection, ANC and decreased albumin have a high risk of death.

Cardiac tamponade with chylopericardium in a 6-year-old boy with central venous catheter: a case report

Cardiac tamponade (CT) is a rare but potentially lethal complication associated with central venous catheters (CVCs). We present a 6-year-old boy who developed CT after CVC insertion in the right internal jugular vein, with its tip in the inferior vena cava. Initially, he was hospitalized to a tertiary hospital with presumptive diagnoses of pneumonia and left ankle cellulitis. Three days after CVC placement, he developed CT, manifesting as recurrent episodes of hypotension and bradycardia. Once a bedside echocardiography showed CT, pericardiocentesis was performed, resulting in successful resuscitation. Pericardiocentesis revealed a milk-appearing pericardial fluid, indicating chylopericardium. The boy also underwent debridement and joint irrigation of the left ankle, which turned out to be osteomyelitis. Although CVC tips in most reported CVC-related CTs have been commonly located in the right atrium, our case featured a tip located in the inferior vena cava. Additionally, chylopericardium was likely due to the extravasation of total parenteral nutrition fluid, rather than the usual causes, such as recent thoracic surgery. Understanding the mechanisms behind chylopericardium associated with CVCs and timely pericardiocentesis is crucial for improving the outcomes.

Loss of a Guidewire During Central Venous Catheter Insertion Into the Right Internal Jugular Vein

Loss of a Guidewire During Central Venous Catheter Insertion Into the Right Internal Jugular Vein