Incidence Of Catheter-related Complications Research Articles

Remote Assisted Home Dressing vs. Outpatient Medication of Central Venous Catheter (Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter): Clinical Trial A.R.C.O. (Remote Assistance Oncology Caregiver).

Management of PICC dressing can be performed at home by the patient through adequate training and telenursing. This trial verifies that the incidence of catheter-related complications in home patients, assisted by telenursing, is not greater than that observed in outpatients. This clinical trial is composed of 72 patients with malignant tumors who underwent long-term chemotherapy with PICC insertion. They were randomly divided into an experimental group (33 cases) and a calibration group (39 cases). The control group received outpatient dressing for the PICC at the hospital, while the experimental group received a telenursing intervention about the management of the PICC. The incidence of catheter-related infections, the ability of self-management, and a rough cost/benefit estimation were compared between the two groups. This trial was performed according to the CONSORT 2010 checklist. The two groups do not significantly differ in relation to age, sex, and PICCs in terms of the body side insertion, the type of dressing, and the agents used for cleaning. The analysis of the results showed that in the home-managed group, the clinical events reported during the connection were higher when compared with the outpatient group (p < 0.001). The patients in the homecare group developed frequent complications resulting from skin redness (p < 0.001). The use of telenursing for patient education in cancer centers can reduce nurses' working time, improving the self-management capacity of patients with a long-term PICC. This trial was retrospectively registered with the Clinical Trial Gov on the 18 May 2023 with registration number NCT05880420.

Uncovering the rate and risk factors of intrathecal baclofen pump-associated complications in the adult population.

The aim of this study was 1) to describe the rate of intrathecal baclofen (ITB)-associated complications at a large tertiary center, and 2) to evaluate the impact of patient-related factors on the likelihood of developing such complications. A retrospective single-center study was carried out. A total of 301 eligible patients were included in the analysis. Univariate regression models were used to evaluate the impact of age, sex, diagnosis, ambulation status, modified Ashworth scale score, body mass index, diabetes status, and pain level on the likelihood of developing a device-related infection, pump malfunction, catheter malfunction, and other clinically significant complications. Overall, 27% of patients experienced an ITB-related complication. The most common complications included infection (6%, 18/301), pump malfunction (7.3%, 22/301), and catheter malfunction (14%, 42/301). The univariate analyses revealed that the patient's ambulatory status had a significant impact on the likelihood of developing a catheter-related malfunction. Furthermore, a trend toward significance was identified between patients' preoperative body mass index and device-related infection. Finally, the risk of suffering any ITB-related complications was statistically correlated with the number of years that had passed since the initial pump implantation. The authors' analysis reveals a previously underrecognized association between ambulatory status at the time of ITB pump implantation and the incidence of catheter-related complications, and confirms the impact of time since surgery on the risk of developing any ITB-related complication. The patient's age, sex, diagnosis, diabetes status, or pain level at baseline were not associated with the risk of complications. Collectively, these insights contribute novel information to the existing literature, providing practical value for physicians in guiding patient selection for ITB therapy.

#2430 Comparison of the efficacy of gentamicin-citrate and gentamicin-citrate/Taurolock-urokinase locks for non-tunneled catheters in hemodialysis patients

Abstract Background and Aims Catheter-related complications, such as dysfunction, thrombosis and infection, are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in patients on hemodialysis (HD) receiving dialysis through temporary non-tunneled double-lumen central venous catheters (CVC). Catheter lock solutions containing antibiotics and antitrombolytics are commonly used to prevent such complications. The aim of the present study was to compare impact of a different prophylactic catheter lock solutions on the incidence of catheter-related complications (catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and catheter thrombosis) and mortality compared with heparin catheter locks. Method We performed a single-centre prospective, randomized, single-blinded controlled trial of 96 adult patients undergoing HD in our institution from Jun 2018 to Jun 2023. Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive either a lock solution combining gentamicin-citrate twice a week with taurolidine-citrate (Taurolock)/urokinase at the end of the third hemodialysis session before the end of the week (TAURO group) or gentamicin-citrate at the end of all hemodialysis sessions (GENTAM group) or unfractionated heparin 5000 U/mL thrice weekly as control (HEPARIN group). Catheter lock solutions were administered for 3 months after insertion of CVC and patients were followed for at least 6 months after insertion of CVC. Demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters, as well as used medications, were analyzed. Episodes of acute catheter thrombosis and incidence of CRBSI were recorded, along with dialysis adequacy (Kt/V) and adverse events. Results The study population (96 patients, 32 in each group) had a median age of 60 years (range 19–85 years), 56.3% man. In the majority of patients (88.5%) the indication for placement of the CVC was the initiation of dialysis, while in the remaining patients indication was thrombosis of the existing vascular access. The most important baseline clinical and laboratory values are presented in Table 1. The catheter median length of stay was of 125.94 ± 87.48 (from 50 to 535) days in TAURO group, 113.44 ± 35.68 (from 54 to 233) days in GENTAM group and 108.59 ± 37.84 (from 42 to 212) days in HEPARIN group (p = 0.831). There was no difference between groups with regard to catheter thrombosis (3.3 events/1000 catheter-days in all groups). The CRBSI rate of 3.2 episodes/1000 catheter-days in TAURO group was slightly lower than the rate of 5.3 episodes/1000 catheter-days in GENTAM group (p = 0.479) and 4.3 episodes/1000 catheter-days in control HEPARIN group (p = 0.705). The CRBSI-free survival time in TAURO group was 197 ± 220 (from 28 to 447) days, longer than in the GENTAM group (38 ± 33 days, from 8 to 86) and HEPARIN group (37 ± 35 days, from 4 to 86), p = 0.21. Impact of catheter lock solution on dialysis adequacy as measured by Kt/V in time is presented in Fig. 1. No significant differences were found between study groups in survival after 6 months (p = 0.810) and at the end study period (p = 0.096)-presented in Fig. 1. Conclusion We observed no difference in the incidence of catheter thrombosis and mortality rate in groups with prophylactic catheter lock solutions and control group. The use of Gentamicin-citrate/Taurolock-urokinase as a dialysis catheter lock solution, as compared with gentamicin-citrate or heparin administered three times a week, led to a nonsignificant reduction of CRBSI incidence and longer CRBSI-free survival time in patients on HD receiving dialysis through temporary non-tunneled double-lumen CVC.

Effectiveness and safety of intracardiac electrocardiogram guidance for epicutaneo-cava catheters via the lower extremity in preterm infants: a retrospective study

IntroductionIn recent years, intracardiac electrocardiogram (IC-ECG) technology has been widely used for epicutaneo-cava catheter (ECC) placement and has shown many potential advantages. However, evidence about the quantitative changes, effectiveness, and safety of IC-ECG for lower extremity ECC is sparse. This study aimed to explore the quantitative changes in IC-ECG for lower extremity ECC and determine its effectiveness and safety.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 303 premature infants who underwent successful IC-ECG-guided lower extremity ECC placement between January 2019 and December 2021. All patients underwent chest X-ray postoperatively to verify the position of the catheter tip. The amplitudes of the surface electrocardiogram and IC-ECG QRS waves and the difference between the two amplitudes were measured. The effectiveness (matching rate between IC-ECG and chest X-ray) and safety (incidence of catheter-related complications) of IC-ECG for lower extremity ECC were evaluated.ResultsThe matching rate between IC-ECG and chest X-ray was 95.0%. When the catheter tip was optimally positioned, the QRS amplitude of the IC-ECG was 0.85 ± 0.56 mv higher than that of the surface electrocardiogram. The overall incidence of catheter-related complications was 10.6%. The actual ECC insertion length was associated with a noticeably increased risk of catheter-related complications.ConclusionsThis study suggests that IC-ECG is an effective and safe method by observing the dynamic changes in both QRS complexes and P wave to locate the tip of lower extremity ECC in preterm infants. Our findings would facilitate the application of IC-ECG for ECC localization.

Time-saving effect of real-time ultrasound-guided cannulation for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A multicenter retrospective cohort study

BackgroundExtracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), a bridge to treatments for cardiac arrest patients, can be technically challenging and requires expertise. While ultrasound guidance is frequently used for vascular access, its effects on cannulation time in patients treated with ECPR are poorly defined. We hypothesized that real-time ultrasound guidance would contribute to faster and safer cannulation for ECPR. MethodsThis nationwide, multicenter, retrospective study analyzed data from 36 Japanese institutions. Patients who were over age 18 years and underwent ECPR between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2018, were included. Patients who underwent open surgical vascular access were excluded. Cannulation time and outcomes of patients who underwent real-time ultrasound-guided cannulation (i.e., ultrasound-guided group) were compared to those cannulated without the use of real-time ultrasound guidance (control group) using propensity score matching analysis. ResultsThe ultrasound-guided group comprised 510 cases, whereas the control group comprised 941 cases. Of those, 443 propensity score-matched pairs were evaluated. Cannulation time in the ultrasound-guided group was 2.5 minutes shorter than in the control group [difference, −2.5 minutes; 95% Confidence interval (CI), −3.7 to −1.3, p < 0.001]. The incidence of catheter-related complications and the incidence of the poor neurological outcomes (Cerebral Performance Category ≥3) did not differ between groups [Odds ratio (OR), 1.51; 95% CI, 0.64–3.74; OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.83–1.59]. ConclusionReal-time ultrasound-guided cannulation was associated with shorter cannulation time of ECPR.

Modified minimally invasive laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion with internal fixation

Background Laparoscopic technique is widely used in peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter placement. We developed a modified minimally invasive laparoscopic PD catheter (PDC) insertion with internal fixation and evaluated the early results by observing the intraoperative and postoperative conditions of the novel technique with those of conventional open surgery. Methods Retrospective research was performed on 59 patients who underwent PDC insertion from June 2019 to January 2022, including 23 patients who received open surgery and 36 patients who received modified minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Information such as preoperative conditions, operation time, incision length, incidence of intraoperative complications, time from operation to starting PD, time from operation to discharge, and incidence of catheter-related complications were collected and analyzed. Results The incision length, intraoperative blood loss, catheter migration rates and the total incidence of complications 6 months after operation in the laparoscopic group were lower than those in the conventional group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in operation time, time from operation to starting PD, time from operation to discharge and the incidence of catheter blockage, leakage, exit-site infection, peritoneal dialysis associated peritonitis and hernia. Conclusions Modified minimally invasive laparoscopic PDC insertion and internal fixation method achieved direct vision and reliable fixation of the catheter, significantly reduced incision length and blood loss. The incidence of catheter migration was significantly lower than that of open surgery. Our primary findings reveal that modified minimally invasive laparoscopic PDC insertion with internal fixation is safe, effective and beneficial for PD patients.

Prospective clinical study on the incidence of catheter-related complications in a neurological intensive care unit: 4 years of experience.

Over the past decades, significant efforts have been made to reduce early and late catheter-related complications in critically ill patients, using approaches based on bundles of evidence-based interventions. In this prospective clinical study, the authors evaluated the incidence of catheter-related complications in their neuro-intensive care unit during a 4-year period, adopting systematically the GAVeCeLT bundles for the insertion and management of all central venous access devices: centrally inserted central catheters (CICCs), peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and femorally inserted central catheters (FICCs). All early/immediate and late complications were recorded. On 486 central lines (328 CICCs, 149 PICCs and 9 FICCs), the only clinically relevant early/immediate complication was primary tip malposition (1%). In regards late infective complications, the authors did not record any case of catheter-related bloodstream infection; though, they observed one case of central line associated blood stream infection (one CICC; 0.14/1000 catheter days), and 15 cases of catheter colonization (12 CICCs and 3 PICCs; 2.09 episodes/1000 catheter days). Late non-infective complications were few: 14 accidental dislodgments (2.9%), 18 irreversible lumen occlusions (3.7%), and no episodes of symptomatic catheter-related thrombosis or tip migration. The systematic adoption of the GAVeCeLT bundles for CVAD insertion and maintenance was associated with a minimization of catheter-related complications. The strict adherence to the recommendations included in these bundles was the major determinant for clinical success.

The Efficacy of Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Drainage Combined with Gallbladder-Preserving Cholecystolithotomy in High-Risk Patients with Acute Calculous Cholecystitis.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the value of combining percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGD) with gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy (GPC) in high-risk patients with acute calculous cholecystitis.MethodsClinical data from 74 high-risk patients with acute calculous cholecystitis, admitted to our hospital between October 2018 and September 2021, were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients underwent PTGD, and 59 of them underwent delayed cholecystectomy, while 14 patients were subjected to GPC 8–12 weeks after the PTGD; one patient, whose life expectancy was fewer than 6 months, was not treated for gallstones after PTGD.ResultsIn all 74 patients, symptom remission was achieved after the PTGD therapy, and the incidence of catheter-related complications was 10.8%. Among the 59 patients who underwent delayed cholecystectomy (DC) after PTGD, there was a complication incidence of 6.8%. Of the 14 patients who underwent GPC after the PTGD, 13 patients were subjected to the removal of drainage tubes, 1 patient received cholecystostomy catheter draining externally, and two patients (14.3%) had complications. There were no perioperative deaths.ConclusionPercutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage, combined with GPC, is a safe and effective treatment that is suitable for high-risk patients with acute calculous cholecystitis who cannot receive DC. This combined method allows for early acute cholecystitis to settle, helps to remove gallstones at a later stage, and solves the problem of long-term tube drainage after PTGD.

Effect of Systematic Nursing Intervention on the Incidence of Catheter-related Complications in PICC Patients during Discharge with Catheterization

Effect of Systematic Nursing Intervention on the Incidence of Catheter-related Complications in PICC Patients during Discharge with Catheterization

Complications associated with peripherally inserted central catheters and Hickman™ in patients with advanced pulmonary hypertension treated with intravenous prostanoids

BackgroundEpoprostenol requires continuous infusion and may lead to catheter-related complications. Evidence regarding the comparison between peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) or tunneled central catheters in Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is scarce. We sought to study the incidence of mechanical and infectious complications associated with PICC and Hickman catheters in patients with PH under epoprostenol treatment. MethodsThis is a single-center retrospective study of patients with PH who received continuous treatment with intravenous epoprostenol for at least 24 h between January 2010 and July 2020. Mechanical and infectious complications were analyzed according to the catheter type: PICC and Hickman. The incidence of catheter-related complications was calculated per 1000 exposure-days of risk. Results175 catheters were implanted in 109 patients, of which 100 (57.1%) were Hickman and 75 (42.9%) were PICC. After a median follow-up of 334 [130–798] days, there were no differences in the rates of local (0.22 vs 0.21; p = 0.904) or blood-stream infections (0.13 vs 0.21; p = 0.405). Mechanical complications were more frequent in the PICC group (0.98 vs 0.23 p=<0.001), including venous thrombosis (0.16 vs 0.00 p = 0.003) and catheter occlusion (0.66 vs 0.04 p=<0.001). These complications were associated with a greater need for hospitalization (1.48 vs 0.50; p=<0.001), without differences in mortality during follow-up (0.33 vs 0.21; p = 0.288). ConclusionIn patients with PH treated with intravenous epoprostenol, both Hickman and PICC catheters were associated with high rate of complications. Although there were no differences in the frequency of infectious-related complications, PICC was associated with a higher frequency of catheter occlusion and deep venous thrombosis.

RCT of Reduction in Catheter-Related Complications by Using Intracavitary Electrocardiogram-Assisted Guidance in Neonatal PICC Placement

To investigate the effect of intracavitary electrocardiogram (IC-ECG) guidance on peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) related complications in neonatal patients. A total of 210 neonatal patients were included in the study. They were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Sichuan Provincial People's Hosptial between January, 2017 and December, 2019 and had PICC lines were placed in their upper limbs. The patients were randomly assigned to the observation group, which had PICC placement through conventional anatomical landmark guidance combined with IC-ECG guidance ( n=105) or to the control group, which had PICC placement through only conventional anatomical landmark guidance ( n=105) for PICC catheter tip positioning. Patient baseline data and data on subsequent catheter-related complications of the two groups were collected and compared. There were no significant difference between the two groups in sex composition, gestational age, postnatal days on the day of PICC placement, duration of PICC placement, disease profile, and the site of puncture ( P>0.05). The observation group showed a significantly lower overall incidence of catheter-related complications (3.8%), compared to that of the control group (21.9%) ( P<0.05). The observation group showed significantly lower incidence of phlebitis and arrhthmia compared to that of the control group ( P<0.05). A combination of anatomical landmark guidance and IC-ECG guidance to assist the placement of PICC decreases catheter-related complications.

The appropriate frequency of dressing for percutaneous central venous catheters in preventing catheter-related blood stream infection in NICU – A randomized controlled trial

Complications of percutaneous central venous catheters (PCVCs) include catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBSI), occlusion, leakage, and phlebitis, which may lead to sepsis or prolonged hospitalization. The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the appropriate frequency of dressing for percutaneous central venous catheters in preventing CRBSI, every week regularly vs. non-regularly, in premature neonates in NICU. Patients in NICU requiring PCVCs from March 2019-May 2020 were enrolled. Enrolled patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups: regular dressing group (RD), for which dressings were changed every week regularly, or additionally when oozing was noticed; and non-regular dressing group (ND), for which dressings were changed only when oozing was visible. The incidence of CRBSI, occlusion, leakage, and phlebitis were compared between the two groups using the Chi-squared test. The incidence of catheter-related complications was defined as numbers of episodes per 1000 catheter-days. A total of 197 PCVCs were enrolled. The ND and RD groups had 99 and 98 PCVCs, respectively. The average CD interval was 9.3 days in ND group and 5.8 days in RD group. The incidence of CRBSI in RD group was 0‰, which was significantly lower than that of ND group, which was 2.0‰ (p=0.048), but no significant differences were found between groups in the incidence of occlusion, leakage, and phlebitis of PCVCs. Regular dressing changes every week and when oozing occurs while maintaining the protocol of maximum sterile barrier precautions is the best method and frequency of dressings of PCVCs.

Ultrasound-guidance of peripheral venous catheterization in apheresis minimizes the need for central venous catheters.

Central venous catheters (CVC) can facilitate a reliable blood flow for apheresis procedures, but the placement is time-consuming and costly and the incidence of catheter-related complications is high. Ultrasound can aid nurses to insert peripheral venous catheters (PVC), which is safer for the patients. We evaluated the use of CVC vs PVC for all apheresis procedures 3 years after the implementation of structured training of apheresis nurses to perform ultrasound-guided PVC. Ultrasound can visualize the needle tip and target vessel dynamically and guide peripheral venous catheterization with an increased success rate. Time consumption for PVC insertion was measured. In 10 months, we performed 1294 apheresis procedures on 227 patients, where 97.4% were performed with PVC. Hundred percent of extracorporeal photophoresis (off-line ECP) and peripheral blood stem cell collections on adults were performed with PVC. Patients who were treated with CVC (n = 8) were either children, had poor peripheral blood flow due to dehydration or admitted to an intensive care unit and had CVC for other reasons. Time consumption for PVC placement with ultrasound was 11 minutes on average. Training of apheresis nurses in ultrasound-guided peripheral venous catheterization can enable close to 100% of apheresis procedures to be performed by PVC.

Double purse-string around the inner cuff of the peritoneal catheter: A novel technique for an immediate initiation of continuous peritoneal dialysis.

International guidelines recommended a delayed start of peritoneal dialysis at least 2 weeks between catheter insertion and continuous peritoneal dialysis therapy initiation (break-in period). Up to now, the optimal duration of the break-in period is still unclear. The aim of our study was to evaluate in patients, with immediate initiation of continuous peritoneal dialysis, the efficacy of a double purse-string around the inner cuff in preventing mechanical and infectious complications either in semi-surgical or surgical catheter implantation. From January 2011 to December 2018, 135 peritoneal dialysis catheter insertions in 125 patients (90 men and 35 women, mean age 62.02 ± 16.7) were performed. Seventy-seven straight double-cuffed Tenckhoff catheters were implanted semi-surgically on midline under the umbilicus by a trocar, and 58 were surgically implanted through the rectus muscle. In all patients, continuous peritoneal dialysis was started immediately after catheter placement. Mechanical and infectious catheter-related complications during the first 3 months after initiation of continuous peritoneal dialysis were recorded. The overall incidence of leakages, catheter dislocations, peritonitis, and exit-site infections was 4/135 (2.96%), 2/135 (1.48%), 14/135 (10.3%), and 4/135 (2.96%), respectively. Regarding the incidence of catheter-related complications, no bleeding events, bowel perforations, or hernia formations were observed with either the semi-surgical or surgical technique. Double purse-string technique around the inner cuff allows an immediate start of continuous peritoneal dialysis both with semi-surgical and surgical catheter implantation. This technique is a safe and feasible approach in patients needing an urgent peritoneal dialysis.

Safety and efficacy of trabectedin when administered in the inpatient versus outpatient setting: Clinical considerations for outpatient administration of trabectedin.

BackgroundThe results of the randomized, phase 3 ET743‐SAR‐3007 trial demonstrated that trabectedin had a significantly longer progression‐free survival (PFS) compared with dacarbazine in patients with advanced leiomyosarcoma/liposarcoma after the failure of prior chemotherapy. Patients randomized to trabectedin received a 24‐hour intravenous infusion either in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Herein, the authors reported the safety, efficacy, and patient‐reported outcomes based on first infusion site of care.MethodsPatients were randomized 2:1 to trabectedin (at a dose of 1.5 mg/m2) or dacarbazine (1 g/m2 over 20‐120 minutes) with overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoint and PFS, time to disease progression, objective response rate, duration of response, safety, and patient‐reported symptom scoring as secondary endpoints. The setting of the trabectedin infusion was based on institutional preference and categorized based on the setting of the first infusion.ResultsOf the 378 patients who were treated with trabectedin, 100 (27%) and 277 (73%), respectively, first received trabectedin in the inpatient and outpatient setting. No differences were observed with regard to PFS or OS based on site of care. The median PFS was 4.1 months versus 4.2 months (hazard ratio, 0.90; P = .49) for inpatients versus outpatients, respectively, and the median OS was 14.3 months versus 13.7 months (hazard ratio, 0.89; P = .40), respectively. Grade 3/4 adverse events (classified according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 4.0]) were reported in 87 inpatients (87%) compared with 219 outpatients (79%); grade 3/4 serious adverse events were reported in 43 inpatients (43%) and 92 outpatients (33%). Extravasation occurred in 0 inpatients and 5 outpatients (2%), whereas the incidence of catheter‐related complications was similar between groups (16% vs 15%).ConclusionsAlthough the majority of patients who were randomized to trabectedin received outpatient therapy, the outcomes of the current study suggested equivalent safety and efficacy in either setting.

Open versus closed peripheral intravenous catheters in neonates: a prospective comparative study

Background: Open peripheral intravenous (IV) catheters have been routinely used in neonates. Closed catheters have resulted in a longer indwelling time and reduction in catheter related complications such as phlebitis in adults. However, there is paucity of data in neonates.Methods: We conducted this pilot study in a pre-post study design. Open catheters were used in the first phase and closed catheters in the second phase. Hundred babies requiring intravenous fluid therapy for at least 24 hours in this neonatal intensive care unit were included in each group. Indwelling time and the complications leading to removal of the catheter were compared between the two groups.Results: Both groups were comparable in terms of gestational age, day of life, site of cannulation, nature of intravenous fluid and drugs administered. In the open catheter group, there was significant increase in use of inotropes (38% vs 22%; p=0.014) and blood products (16% vs 5%; p=0.011). The mean indwelling time (hours) was significantly greater in closed catheter group compared to open catheter group (47.1±19.4 vs 38.04±17.9; p &lt;0.008). Inotrope use was found to decrease the indwelling time. There was an increase in indwelling time by 8.2 (SE 2.67) hours even after adjusting for use of inotropes. The incidence of catheter related complications was similar in both groups.Conclusions: There is a marginal but statistically significant increase in indwelling time when closed peripheral IV catheters are used in neonates. However, our results would be more meaningful if replicated in a larger randomized controlled trial.

Prevalence of idle peripherally inserted central catheters in adult patients: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

Increasing studies concern about idle vascular access devices, but still scant data on idle peripherally inserted central catheters. We aimed to assess the prevalence and risks of idle peripherally inserted central catheters in adult patients. A multicenter cross-sectional observational study was performed between April 2018 and July 2018. Patient demographics and peripherally inserted central catheters-related information were abstracted using a site questionnaire by directly inquiring and medical records reviewing right after their peripherally inserted central catheters were removed. Three hundred and fifty-eight patients with peripherally inserted central catheter episodes who met the inclusion criteria were studied. Of the 58,000 total catheter-days recorded, 5311 (9.2%) were considered as idle based on our study criteria. Two hundred and fifty-five (71.2%) patients had at least 1 idle catheter-day with a mean duration of 14.84 (19.31) idle days. The incidence of catheter-related complications in patients with idle peripherally inserted central catheters was lower than that in patients without idle peripherally inserted central catheters, though the difference did not reach statistical significance (odds ratio = 0.635, 95% confidence interval = 0.367-1.099, p = 0.103). In conclusion, idle peripherally inserted central catheters were common in adult patients, but the low risks of catheter-related complications may justify maintaining a peripherally inserted central catheter for further observation when necessary.

Effect of continuous nursing on PICC patients with intermittent chemotherapy during chemotherapy based on WeChat platform

Objective To explore the continuity nursing effect of WeChat platform on PICC patients with intermittent chemotherapy. Methods 150 patients with primary PICC intubation tumor were selected as the study object, and were divided into three groups according to the order of treatment, each group of 50 cases. The control group adopted the traditional health education mode; the observation group 1 pushed PICC catheter maintenance related content three times a week based on WeChat platform on the basis of routine health education, and the observation group 2 on the basis of routine health education pushed PICC catheter maintenance related content, collected questions three times and answered questions for everyone in the Weixin group. The PICC self-management ability and incidence of catheter-related complications of the three groups were compared after 3 months. Results The scores of PICC self-management ability in the three groups were (133.84±5.67), (142.36±8.62) and (148.76±6.52). There was significant difference in the scores of PICC self-management ability between the three groups (F= 56.384, P < 0.05). The incidence of catheter-related complications in the three groups were 14% (7/50), 4% (2/50) and 2% (1/50), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2= 6.643, P < 0.05) between the three groups. The incidence of catheter-related complications was statistically significant only in the control group compared with the observation group 2 (χ2=4.891, P < 0.05). Conclusions Continuous nursing based on Weixin platform can improve the self-management ability of PICC catheterization patients during the intermittent period of chemotherapy. Continuous nursing based on Weixin group chat can reduce the incidence of catheter-related complications, which is worthy of wide clinical recommendation. Key words: Catheterization, central venous; WeChat; Continuity nursing

Incidence of catheter-related complications among Japanese patients with central venous catheters as well as patients with short bowel syndrome.

PurposeShort bowel syndrome (SBS) is a serious rare disorder that is usually managed with parenteral nutrition. Central venous catheter (CVC)-related complications are known to occur, but their incidence rates (IRs) in Japan are unknown. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of complications in Japanese patients with CVCs, including patients with SBS using CVCs.Patients and methodsA retrospective cohort study in 64,817 patients with CVCs, including 81 patients with SBS, between April 2008 and October 2016 using a claims database in Japan was conducted. IRs of complications were calculated as total events divided by total catheter-days among all patients with CVCs and among patients with SBS.ResultsThe majority (>90%) of patients in the CVC and SBS cohorts were ≥18 years old. Overall, IRs of any type of complication were numerically higher in patients with SBS compared with all patients with CVCs (2.68 vs 1.95 cases per 1,000 catheter-days, respectively). Among patients with SBS, septicemia, infection, and inflammatory reaction were the only complications observed. The complications with the highest incidence were catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in both the overall CVC cohort and the SBS cohort with IRs of 1.35 and 2.68 cases per 1,000 catheter-days, respectively. The IR of any CVC-related complication was numerically higher in patients with SBS with cancer vs without cancer (3.44 vs 1.86 cases per 1,000 catheter-days, respectively).ConclusionOur study quantifies the incidence of complications in patients with CVCs, including those with SBS, in Japan.

Home Parenteral Nutrition in Adult Patients With Chronic Intestinal Failure: Catheter-Related Complications Over 4 Decades at the Main Danish Tertiary Referral Center.

Catheter-related complications (CRCs) cause mortality and morbidity in patients dependent on parenteral support at home (HPN) due to intestinal failure (IF). This study describes the incidences of CRCs in an adult IF cohort over 40 years. It illustrates the evolution and consequences of CRCs, their association to demographic characteristics, and potential risk factors in an effort to provide the rationale for preventive precautions to the relevant patients with IF at risk. All patients with IF discharged with HPN from 1970-2010 were included. Patient and treatment characteristics were extracted from the Copenhagen IF database. The incidences were given per 1000 central venous catheter (CVC) days. The 1715 CRCs occurred in 70% of the 508 patients with IF (56% of the 2191 CVCs). The incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) was 1.43. Higher age, HPN administration by community home nurses, and prior CRBSIs significantly raised the hazard for CRBSIs. In the 1970s, catheters were generally replaced following CRBSIs, whereas catheter salvage was the norm in the 2000s. The incidences of mechanical complications, tunnel infections, and catheter-related venous thromboses were 0.80, 0.25, and 0.11, respectively. The overall CRC incidence was 2.58, decreasing the first 3 decades but peaking in the last (2.84). The deaths related to CRCs were low (0.018). Even in an experienced IF center of excellence, the incidence of CRCs increased over the 4 decades. This increase could be explained by the expansion of the indication of HPN to a more elderly and frail patient population.