Non-tunneled Catheters Research Articles

Conversion of Non-Tunneled to Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheters

To determine the safety and efficacy of conversion of non-tunneled (temporary) catheters to tunneled catheters in hemodialysis patients. A retrospective review of 112 consecutive conversions in 111 patients was performed over a period of 4 years. Fourteen patients were lost to follow-up. The remaining 97 patients had clinical follow-up. Temporary catheters were converted to tunneled catheters utilizing the same internal jugular venotomy sites and a modified over-the-wire technique with use of a peel-away sheath . Follow-up clinical data were reviewed. Technical success was achieved in all 112 procedures. None of the 97 patients with follow-up suffered early infection within 30 days. The total number of follow-up catheter days was 13,659 (range 2-790). Cases of confirmed and suspected bacteremia requiring catheter removal occurred at a frequency of 0.10 per 100 catheter days. Suspected catheter infection treated with antibiotics but not requiring catheter intervention occurred at a frequency of 0.04 per 100 catheter days. Frequency of all suspected or confirmed infections was 0.14 per 100 catheter days. Catheter interventions as a result of poor blood flow, inadvertent removal, catheter fracture, or kinking occurred at a rate of 0.18 per 100 catheter days. Life table analysis revealed primary patency rates of 86%, 64%, and 39% at 30 days, 90 days, and 180 days, respectively. Conversion of temporary catheters to tunneled catheters using the pre-existing venotomy sites is safe and has low rates of infection and malfunction. These rates are comparable to previously published rates for tunneled catheters placed de novo and tunneled catheter exchanges.

The Risk of Bloodstream Infection in Adults With Different Intravascular Devices: A Systematic Review of 200 Published Prospective Studies

To better understand the absolute and relative risks of bloodstream Infection (BSI) associated with the various types of intravascular devices (IVDs), we analyzed 200 published studies of adults In which every device in the study population was prospectively evaluated for evidence of associated infection and microbiologically based criteria were used to define IVD-related BSI. English-language reports of prospective studies of adults published between January 1, 1966, and July 1, 2005, were identified by MEDLINE search using the following general search strategy: bacteremla [Medical Subject Heading, MeSH] OR septicemia [MeSH] OR bloodstream Infection AND the specific type of intravascular device (e.g., central venous port). Mean rates of IVD-related BSI were calculated from pooled data for each type of device and expressed as BSIs per 100 IVDs (%) and per 1000 IVD days. Point incidence rates of IVD-related BSI were lowest with peripheral Intravenous catheters (0.1%, 0.5 per 1000 IVD-days) and midline catheters (0.4%, 0.2 per 1000 catheter-days). Far higher rates were seen with short-term noncuffed and nonmedicated central venous catheters (CVCs) (4.4%, 2.7 per 1000 catheter-days). Arterial catheters used for hemodynamic monitoring (0.8%, 1.7 per 1000 catheter-days) and peripherally inserted central catheters used in hospitalized patients (2.4%, 2.1 per 1000 catheter-days) posed risks approaching those seen with short-term conventional CVCs used in the Intensive care unit. Surgically implanted long-term central venous devices--cuffed and tunneled catheters (22.5%, 1.6 per 1000 IVD-days) and central venous ports (3.6%, 0.1 per 1000 IVD-days)--appear to have high rates of Infection when risk Is expressed as BSIs per 100 IVDs but actually pose much lower risk when rates are expressed per 1000 IVD-days. The use of cuffed and tunneled dual lumen CVCs rather than noncuffed, nontunneled catheters for temporary hemodlalysis and novel preventive technologies, such as CVCs with anti-infective surfaces, was associated with considerably lower rates of catheter-related BSI. Expressing risk of IVD-related BSI per 1000 IVD-days rather than BSIs per 100 IVDs allows for more meaningful estimates of risk. These data, based on prospective studies In which every IVD in the study cohort was analyzed for evidence of infection by microbiologically based criteria, show that all types of IVDs pose a risk of IVD-related BSI and can be used for benchmarking rates of infection caused by the various types of IVDs In use at the present time. Since almost all the national effort and progress to date to reduce the risk of IVD-related Infection have focused on short-term noncuffed CVCs used in Intensive care units, Infection control programs must now strive to consistently apply essential control measures and preventive technologies with all types of IVDs.

Antibiotic lock technique reduces the incidence of temporary catheter-related infections

In the hemodialytic population, infections are the second leading cause of death; access infections account for a large proportion of this mortality. The antibiotic lock technique has been applied to infected tunneled catheters as rescue or prophylaxis medication to reduce infection rates. In addition, application of topical antibiotic ointments to tunneled and non-tunneled catheters also prevents exit site infections. 17 patients with 25 catheters participated in our study from March 2004 - February 2005. The catheter lock comprised of mixed cefazolin (5 mg/dl) with heparin (2,500 IU/ml) and mupirocin was topically applied to the area (2 x 2 cm) surrounding the catheter exit site. The catheter infection rate was reduced from 12.7 times/1,000 catheter days to 5.02 times/1,000 catheter days in patients with jugular vein catheters. The total catheter-related infection rate was 14.9 times/1,000 catheter days in the control group and 4.1 times/1,000 catheter days in the study group. The reduction in catheter infections was more evident in a subgroup of non-diabetic patients, and in those with femoral catheters. The use of antibiotic lock and topical antibiotics significantly reduces the incidence of temporary catheter-related infections, especially in non-diabetic patients and in those with femoral catheters.

Review of Selected Comprehensive Cancer Centers' Written Policies for Preventing Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections

ISSUE: Cancer (CA) patients often require long-term central venous catheter (CVC) access for intravenous support; catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI) cause significant morbidity & mortality. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has published evidence-based guidelines for preventing CR-BSI; Category IA recommendations (Cat IA recs) are strongly supported by well-designed experimental, clinical, or epidemiologic studies. The objective was to determine if Cat IA recs are consistently included in Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) CR-BSI prevention policies. PROJECT: The CCC Infection Control Group (C3IC) consists of infection control professionals from 14 CCC. C3IC members voluntarily work together to compare practices & data for preventing infection in CA patients. C3IC compared their individual facility's written policies to prevent CR-BSI with CDC guidelines. For each recommendation, responses were Yes/No; blanks were considered unknown. RESULTS: Ten/14 (71%) C3IC centers submitted policy evaluation. All centers required education about insertion & maintenance of CVCs; 70% required periodic knowledge assessment. Hand hygiene, sterile gloves, & skin disinfection before insertion & sterile dressing on the site were included in 100%; maximal sterile barriers for insertion were specified by 90%. The subclavian was the preferred site for insertion of non-tunneled catheters at 70% of CCC; 20% follow this recommendation though not in their written policy. Half of CCC do not routinely administer antimicrobial prophylaxis before insertion nor use topical antibiotic ointment for non-dialysis sites; 60% specify removal when CVC is no longer necessary. Of 34 Cat 1A recs, only 50% were incorporated in policy at 8-10 centers, while 12/34 (35%) were included at 6 or less. Fourteen (41%) Cat 1A recs were practiced although not included in policy, & 15/34 (44%) were left blank by 1-5 C3ICs, possibly indicating lack of knowledge about those recommendations at their facility. LESSONS LEARNED: Written policy at 10 CCC varies in adherence to CDC evidence-based guidelines for preventing CR-BSI. Actual practice differed from written policy, making identification of facility-specific risk factors & appropriate interventions difficult. Future research will compare CR-BSI rates at C3IC facilities to adherence to CDC CR-BSI prevention guidelines.

Radiation Doses from Venous Access Procedures

To retrospectively analyze radiation dose data for six common venous access procedures. Institutional review board approval was obtained for this HIPAA-compliant study; informed consent was not required. Data review was limited to a quality assurance database. Patient medical records were not reviewed. We retrospectively analyzed radiation dose data from a prospective quality assurance program. Dose data were analyzed for 1010 instances of six different venous access placement procedures performed between February 1998 and July 2004. Radiation dose measurements were generated automatically by the interventional fluoroscopy units and were recorded at the conclusion of each procedure. Descriptive and summary statistical analyses were performed to determine median, minimum, and maximum values of radiation dose for each procedure. A P value of less than .05 indicated a significant difference. Because the data distribution was highly skewed, logarithmic transformation was performed. Dose data for four different venous access procedures (excluding chest port placement and peripherally inserted central catheter placement) were compared with a one-way analysis of variance. Pairwise comparisons with the Tukey honestly significant difference test were subsequently performed for each analogue where analysis of variance demonstrated a significant result. No procedure yielded a cumulative dose of more than 950 mGy or a peak skin dose of more than 760 mGy. The highest mean cumulative dose (ie, 88 mGy), mean dose-area product (ie, 873 cGy . cm(2)), and mean peak skin dose (ie, 43 mGy) were observed for tunneled dialysis catheter placements. Significant differences in dose were observed for tunneled catheter placement versus nontunneled catheter placement (<.001 to .027). No significant differences in dose were observed for larger-diameter versus smaller-diameter catheters. Radiation doses from venous access procedures are low. Even extreme outlier cases are unlikely to produce doses high enough to cause skin effects, especially when knowledgeable operators using well-calibrated equipment perform the procedures.

Randomized trial of prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infection by continuous infusion of low-dose unfractionated heparin in patients with hematologic and oncologic disease.

Infection is a serious complication of central venous catheters in immunocompromised patients. Catheter-related infection may be caused by fibrin deposition associated with catheters. Interventions designed to decrease fibrin deposition have the potential to reduce catheter-related infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of low-dose unfractionated heparin in preventing catheter-related bloodstream infection in patients with hemato-oncological disease. This study was a randomized, controlled trial in which patients with nontunneled catheters were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous unfractionated heparin (continuous infusion of 100 U/kg per day) or 50 mL/day of normal saline solution as a continuous infusion (control group). Heparin was continued until the day of discharge. Catheter-related bloodstream infection was defined according to Infectious Disease Society of America guidelines. Two hundred and eight patients were randomly assigned. Four patients were excluded after assignment. Ultimately, 204 patients were analyzed. Catheter-related bloodstream infection occurred in 6.8% (7 of 102 catheters) of those in the heparin group (2.5 events per 1,000 days) and in 16.6% (17 of 102 catheters) of those in the control group (6.4 events per 1,000 days) (P = .03). No other risk factors were found for the development of catheter-related bloodstream infection. Four and five patients experienced severe bleeding in the heparin and control groups, respectively (P = .2). We did not observe heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. The use of continuous infusion of low-dose unfractionated heparin (100 U/kg per day) can be a practical and economical approach to the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infection in patients with hemato-oncological disease.

Journal scan

Skin tunnelled central venous catheters facilitate long-term access for the administration of chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, blood product support and anti-microbial medication. Their use, over and above short-term non-tunnelled catheters is predicated on the presumption that the placement prevents infection, and they remain a mainstay of modern cancer care.

Long-term central venous lines and their complications

The implantation of permanent (> 14 days) central venous catheters is constantly increasing, accelerated by a trend toward outpatient therapies. Subcutaneous tunneled and non-tunneled catheters as well as port systems are available. The interventional radiologist plays an important role in the implantation of central venous catheters as well as in detection and treatment of any complications. Various access ways via peripheral and central veins are described and the implantation techniques for the different systems explained. The use of peel-away sheaths allows the radiologist to implant subcutaneous tunneled catheters via the Seldinger technique without surgical preparation. Procedure-related early and late complications may occur, and the radiologist plays an important role in the surveillance and management of catheter-associated complications. This review demonstrates the different catheter systems and implantation techniques.

Prospective surveillance study for risk factors of central venous catheter–related bloodstream infections

Objective Risk factors of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) caused by central venous catheter (CVC) use at a university hospital were evaluated. Design A prospective, observational, hospital-wide study was conducted. Setting The study was conducted at a university hospital with 1050 beds. Methods Nontunneled catheters were used, and double or triple lumen was observed. Catheters were cultured by semi-quantitative method, and blood cultures were performed if necessary. All epidemiologic and clinical data were recorded without intervention during the study. Results Over a 1-year period, the study assessed 389 CVCs inserted in 367 patients (mean age 50.9 ± 18.1 years; 215 [58.6%] men, 152 [41.4%] women). Duration of catheterization was 12.0 ± 9.9 days. CVCs were inserted into either the subclavian vein (N = 263; 67.6%) or the jugular vein (N = 128; 32.4%). In 250 episodes (64.3%), antibiotics were used concomitantly. CR-BSI was found in 43 of all CVCs (11.1%). The rate of CR-BSI per 1000 catheter-days was 9.21 for the whole cohort. In multivariable analysis, only renal failure (OR 4.83; CI 1.32-17.66; P = .017) was found to be a risk factor for CR-BSI. Conclusion Renal failure was an independent risk factor for CR-BSI.

Prospective surveillance study for risk factors of central venous catheter?related bloodstream infections

Objective Risk factors of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) caused by central venous catheter (CVC) use at a university hospital were evaluated. Design A prospective, observational, hospital-wide study was conducted. Setting The study was conducted at a university hospital with 1050 beds. Methods Nontunneled catheters were used, and double or triple lumen was observed. Catheters were cultured by semi-quantitative method, and blood cultures were performed if necessary. All epidemiologic and clinical data were recorded without intervention during the study. Results Over a 1-year period, the study assessed 389 CVCs inserted in 367 patients (mean age 50.9 ± 18.1 years; 215 [58.6%] men, 152 [41.4%] women). Duration of catheterization was 12.0 ± 9.9 days. CVCs were inserted into either the subclavian vein (N = 263; 67.6%) or the jugular vein (N = 128; 32.4%). In 250 episodes (64.3%), antibiotics were used concomitantly. CR-BSI was found in 43 of all CVCs (11.1%). The rate of CR-BSI per 1000 catheter-days was 9.21 for the whole cohort. In multivariable analysis, only renal failure (OR 4.83; CI 1.32-17.66; P = .017) was found to be a risk factor for CR-BSI. Conclusion Renal failure was an independent risk factor for CR-BSI.

Les infections liées aux cathéters veineux centraux non tunnélisés chez des patients immunodéprimés : étude prospective à propos de 210 cas

Objective. – To evaluate infectious complications related to non-tunneled central venous catheter in immunocompromised patients, in a bone marrow unit. Methods. – From July to April 2002, we inserted 210 non-tunneled central venous catheters in 139 immunocompromised patients (52 F/87 M). The mean age was 26 years (3–56 years). Our study included 33 children aged from 3 to 15 years, on whom 46 catheters were placed. The catheters were placed for the following indications: 145 catheters were used in subjects who received a bone marrow transplantation, 58 catheters were placed in subjects who received chemotherapy for acute leukemia and seven catheters were used in patients who received immunosuppressive therapy. Results. – The mean duration of catheterization was 33 days (7–114 days). There were 3.1 catheter-related infections per 1000 catheter-days. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci were implicated in 64% of cases. We observed two pneumothorax (0.9%), one arterial puncture (0.4%) and two catheter-related thrombosis (0.9%). Conclusion. – Non-tunneled catheters in immunocompromised patients (adults and children) is a safe technique, and is an alternative to the Hickman catheters which are most widely used today in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation.

Infective endocarditis in dialysis patients: New challenges and old

Since the 1960s chronic hemodialysis (HD) has been recognized as a risk factor for the development of infective endocarditis (IE). Historically, it has been particularly associated with vascular access via dual lumen catheters. We wished to examine the risk factors for, and consequences of, IE in the modern dialysis era. Cases of IE (using the Duke criteria) at St. Thomas' Hospital (1980 to 1995), Guy's (1995 to 2002), and King's College Hospitals (1996 to 2002) were reviewed. Twenty-eight patients were identified as having developed IE (30 episodes of IE). Twenty-seven patients were on long-term HD and one patient was on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Mean age was 54.1 years, and mean duration of HD prior to IE was 46.3 months. Eight patients were diabetic. Primary HD hemoaccess was an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in 41.3%, a dual-lumen tunneled catheter (DLTC) in 37.9%, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft in 10.3%, and a dual- lumen non-tunneled catheter (DLNTC) in 4%. The presumed source of sepsis was directly related to hemoaccess in 25 HD patients: DLTC in 48%; AVF in 32%; PTFE in 12%; and DLNTC in 4%. Staphylococcus aureus[including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)] was present in 63.3%. The mitral valve was affected in 41.4% of patients, aortic valve in 37.9% of patients, and both valves were affected in 17.2% of patients. Of note, 51.7% of patients had an abnormal valve before the episode of IE. In 15 cases surgery was undertaken. Fourteen patients survived to discharge, and 12 survived for 30 days. In 15 cases antibiotic treatment alone was employed; in this case, eight patients died and seven survived to discharge. This is the largest reported confirmed IE series in dialysis patients. Infective endocarditis in HD patients remains a challenging problem-although hemoaccess via dual-lumen catheters remains a significant risk, many cases developed in patients with AVFs and this group suffered the greatest mortality. An abnormal valve (frequently calcified) was another risk factor; because valve calcification is now common after 5 years on dialysis, more effort in preventing this avoidable form of ectopic calcification may reduce the risk of developing IE.

An evaluation of commonly employed central venous catheter kits and their potential risk for complications of excess guidewire introduction

Study objective To evaluate the components of commonly used central venous catheter kits with respect to the potential for guidewire-mediated complications during catheter placement. Design Prospective, nonrandomized, observational study. Setting Six academic hospitals across the United States. Patients None Interventions None. Measurements and main results 30 commercially manufactured catheter kits (15 tunneled, 15 nontunneled) were opened and evaluated. The catheter or sheath to be introduced was measured and a corresponding ideal guidewire length was calculated. The ideal length was then compared to the actual length, and differences were tabulated. Wire tip configuration and the presence and pattern of distance markings were recorded and, in conjunction with the catheter and wire length discrepancies, were used to grade the relative risk of introducing excess guidewire during catheter placement. Of 30 kits evaluated, 14 (46.7%) had guidewires more than 20 cm longer than necessary. The mean excess wire length was 15 cm (range: 8 to 55 cm) and did not differ significantly between tunneled and nontunneled catheter kits. Only 10 kits (33.3%) had distance markings of any type, and there was no standardization among them; none corresponded to previously published recommendations. There was potential risk of excess wire introduction in 18 catheter kits, of which seven were nontunneled devices designed for bedside placement. Conclusions The design of commonly employed central venous access catheter kits is such that there is a mismatch between guidewire and catheter length and a general lack of guidewire markings. We believe that these designs may predispose to the introduction of excess guidewire and result in guidewire-mediated complications during catheter placement. This risk can likely be reduced by matching the guidewires to the devices placed over them and by standardizing guidewire distance markings.

Bloodstream infection in neutropenic cancer patients related to short-term nontunnelled catheters determined by quantitative blood cultures, differential time to positivity, and molecular epidemiological typing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

To determine the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) among cases of primary bloodstream infection (BSI) in febrile neutropenic cancer patients with short-term nontunnelled catheters, quantitative paired blood cultures (Isolator) from the central venous catheter (CVC) and peripheral vein were obtained between November 1999 and January 2001. Bactec blood culture bottles were obtained to determine the differential time to positivity (DTP). CRBSI was defined as a quantitative blood culture ratio of >5:1 (CVC versus peripheral) with proven identity of isolates from positive peripheral and CVC blood cultures as confirmed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Forty-nine episodes of primary BSI were detected among 235 cancer patients with febrile neutropenia. Of these, 18 episodes (37%) were CRBSI and 31 (63%) were BSI with an unknown portal of entry. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were present in nine cases of CRBSI (50%). The identity of isolates from peripheral and CVC blood cultures was confirmed in all cases. Earlier positivity (>2 h) of CVC-drawn versus peripheral blood cultures was observed in 18 of 22 CRBSI-associated blood cultures (sensitivity, 82%; specificity, 88%; positive predictive value, 75%; negative predictive value, 92%). In summary, CRBSI accounted for 37% of cases of primary BSI in this population of neutropenic cancer patients. DTP compares favourably with quantitative blood cultures for the diagnosis of CRBSI and may be particularly useful for patients in whom catheter salvage is highly desirable.

Neurointerventions–Cerebral Protection Devices and Stroke

2. Treatment modalities for ESRD patients. United States Renal Data System. Am J Kidney Dis 1998;32(suppl): 550-559. Summary In most patients, catheters are a bridge to a more permanent form of replaced renal function. A large bore, high flow, cuffed, tunneled catheter is strongly preferred. Current data does not favor anyone tunneled or non-tunneled catheter over another. The role of dialysis ports in the clinical mix is stilI in evaluation. The right internal jugular vein is strongly preferred for vein access. Fluoroscopy and ultrasound are valuable aids for device placement.

Acute dialysis catheters.

Acute dialysis catheters are non-cuffed, non-tunnelled catheters used for immediate vascular access. They are primarily used for acute renal failure in bed-bound patients and for short-term use in patients with malfunction of permanent access. Long-term use of acute catheters is not recommended, but does occur with acceptable infection rates in dialysis centers where tunnelled, cuffed catheters are not available. Most acute catheters are made of polyurethane, but silicone catheters are now available with larger lumen sizes capable of delivering blood flow rates over 300 ml/min. Acute catheters should be inserted in the internal jugular or femoral vein under ultrasound guidance to minimize complications. Subclavian catheters cause stenosis, thrombosis, and perforation of vessels. Intermittent catheter malfunction still occurs, particularly for left-sided internal jugular catheters and catheters placed in women. Blood flow may improve with lumen reversal, intraluminal t-PA, or guidewire exchange. Limiting duration of use and dressing catheter exit sites with dry gauze and antiseptic ointments can prevent catheter-related infections.

Recent Trends in Central Venous Catheter Placement: A Comparison of Interventional Radiology with Other Specialties

The authors determined changing trends and growth in tunneled and nontunneled central venous catheter placement procedures. With use of Medicare billing data for tunneled and nontunneled catheter placement, a comparison was made among interventional radiology (IR), surgery, anesthesia, and internal medicine. There has been substantial growth in the placement of central venous catheters. Currently, a minority of these procedures are performed in IR departments. However, there has been significant growth in the radiologic placement of both types of catheters.

Non-tunneled catheters for the collection and transplantation of peripheral blood stem cells in children.

We analyzed the use of non-tunneled (polyurethane, double lumen) central venous catheters (CVCs) for the collection, conditioning, transplantation and immediate post-transplantation periods in 56 children with various malignant diseases. A total of 71 leukaphereses were performed, with a mean of 1.2 apheresis per patient, following administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) using a continuous flow blood cell separator (Cobe Spectra). The mean TBV (total blood volume) processed was 4.5 +/- 1.2 s.d. (range 2.4-7). The mean flow rate was 30.6 ml/min and the duration of a single apheresis was 327 +/- 84 s.d. (range 175-511 min). The mean purities and efficacies of collections were 77.38 +/- s.d. (range 42-100) and 42.78 +/- s.d. (range 24-80), respectively. The mean numbers of mononuclear cells (MNC) and CD34+ cells collected were 9.3 +/- 6.9 s.d. x 10(8)/kg (range 2-49) and 6.2 +/- 7.2 s.d. x 10(6)/kg (range 1-42), respectively. We observed the following complications during catheter insertion for collection: pneumothorax (1.7%), mechanical dysfunction (3.5%) that resolved with thrombolytic therapy. Complications during conditioning, transplantation and immediate post-transplantation periods were entry site infection in five patients (8.92%), catheter-related infection in two (3.57%) and catheter-related sepsis in three (5.35%). Our results indicate that the collection of PBSC with non-tunneled catheters is safe, effective and dis associated with a low incidence of complications.

Effect of Subcutaneous Tunneling on Internal Jugular Catheter-Related Sepsis in Critically III Patients

To evaluate the effect of catheter tunneling on internal jugular catheter-related sepsis in critically ill patients. A prospective randomized controlled study involving 3 intensive care units (ICUs), stratified by number of catheter lumina (1 or 2) and center. The 10-bed medical-surgical and 10-bed surgical ICUs at Saint Joseph Hospital and 8-bed surgical ICU at Clinique de la Défense, Paris, France. Every patient older than 18 years admitted to the ICUs between March 1, 1993, and July 17,1996, who required a jugular venous catheter for more than 48 hours. Random allocation to tunneled or nontunneled catheters. Times to occurrence of systemic catheter-related sepsis, catheter-related septicemia, or a quantitative catheter-tip culture with a cutoff of 103 colony-forming units per milliliter. A total of 241 patients were randomized. Ten patients in whom jugular puncture was not achieved were subsequently excluded. The proportion of patients receiving mechanical ventilation (87%) and mean+/-SD age (65+/-4 years), Simplified Acute Physiologic Score (13.3+/-4.9), Organ System Failure score (1.5+/-1.0), and duration of catheterization (8.7+/-5.0 days) were similar in both groups. Taking into account the first 231 catheters (114 nontunneled [control], 117 tunneled), we found that tunnelization decreased catheter-related sepsis (odds ratio [OR], 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-0.83; P=.02), catheter-related septicemia (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.07-0.81; P=.02), and, though not statistically significant, positive quantitative tip-culture rate (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.35-1.10; P=.10). These results were slightly modified after adjustment on parameters either imbalanced between both groups (duration of catheter placement and cancer at admission) or prognostic (insertion by a resident, use of antibiotics at catheter insertion, cancer, and sex). The incidence of internal jugular catheter-related infections in critically ill patients can be reduced by using subcutaneous tunnelization.

Underestimation of Total Cost and Other Possible Uses of the Nontunneled Silastic Catheters

Kudos to Raad et al for doing the study 1 that begged to be done. I believe that Raad et al truly underestimated the insertion cost savings by not including the cost savings related to catheter removal. It is my estimation that catheter removal of the tunneled catheters could cost almost the same amount as that of insertion. That would change their cost savings from $2300 up to $4600 and make their annual cost savings in excess of $14 million. I would be interested in any data they have on that. In the late 1980s, in Kansas City, Mo, we saw the utility of these nontunneled catheters. They were easier to place than centrally placed central venous catheters. We placed these catheters in several unique patients, such as one with secretory diarrhea (whose gastroenterologist wanted the bowel at rest). The second patient had congestive heart failure requiring inotropic support via