title: Do multi-lumen catheters increase central venous catheter sepsis compared to single-lumen catheters?
abstract: Triple-lumen catheters (TLC) are now routinely used in critically ill and multiply injured patients who require multi-port central venous access. An apparent rise in catheter contamination and catheter-related sepsis (CRS) occurred in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) through a TLC as opposed to a single-lumen catheter (SLC). A prospective study was performed to determine rates of catheter contamination and CRS in multiple trauma and general surgical-medical patients who received TPN through TLC's and SLC's. Three hundred seven TLC's and 68 SLC's were placed in 234 patients during a 12-month period. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of contamination or CRS between the two groups although there was a trend toward increased CRS and contamination in the TLC group. TLC's may be used for short-term administration of TPN without significant increase in catheter contamination or CRS.
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000628:therapy; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology; D014680:Veins