3
Views
33
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

Subclavian Vein Catheterization and Infection: A Bacteriological Study of 130 Catheter Insertions

, &
Pages 31-36 | Published online: 02 Jan 2015
 

Abstract

The nature, frequency and significance of bacterial growths from catheter cultures in 130 subclavian vein catheterizations were studied. 64 catheters were inserted in non-infected patients (group A), and 66 catheters in infected patients (group B). No relevant catheter growth was observed in group A. In a part of group B (58 catheters), comparable with group A as regards duration of catheterization, relevant growth was observed in 6 cases (10%) and probably relevant growth in 11 cases (19%). The difference between the groups studied is significant (P < 0.05). In the total group B, relevant growth was observed in 9 cases (14%) and probably relevant growth in 14 cases (21%). The duration of catheterization in the 9 cases with relevant growth was significantly longer than in the other 57 cases (P < 0.01). In 2 of the 9 cases, despite adequate antibiotic therapy, sepsis was not eliminated until catheters were removed. It is concluded that the risk of infection when percutaneous subclavian catheters are inserted in non-infected patients is negligible, but that the risk is appreciable if the patients are infected before catheter insertion. In infected patients, infection of catheters and duration of catheterization are correlated. No such correlation was found in non-infected patients.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.