title: Catheter infection control in parenteral nutrition.
abstract: Catheter sepsis rates related to total parenteral nutrition are variable and depend on several patient-specific factors. These factors include the presence of immunosuppression or critical illness, the use of multiple intravascular catheters, and bacterial translocation. Catheter-related sepsis may present in the patient as fever, chills, change in mental status, hypotension, and leukocytosis. In patients with suspected catheter-related infection whose peripheral blood cultures do not grow the same organism as a blood culture drawn from the catheter, a guidewire exchange of the catheter has been shown to be effective. This technique should be considered a surgical procedure. Complications that are associated with guidewire exchange of central venous catheters are catheter malposition, embolism of air or septic thrombi, and cardiac arrhythmias.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Benotti
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D004496:Education, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000009:adverse effects*