title: High incidence of subclavian dialysis catheter-related bacteremias.
abstract: This retrospective cohort study reviews the incidence of bacteremia in 48 patients undergoing hemodialysis using subclavian vein dialysis catheters (SDC) as temporary vascular access. Twelve (25%) of these patients had catheter-related bacteremia, and the most frequently isolated organisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci. Three patients developed right-sided endocarditis and one of them died due to pulmonary embolism. The presence of possible risk factors for SDC-related bacteremia, including duration of catheterization and number of hemodialysis procedures, were not statistically different when patients with and without bacteremia were compared, with the exception of a significantly lower incidence of bacteremia among those patients receiving antibiotic therapy at the time of catheter insertion. The use of resterilized catheters was not a risk factor. Specific guidelines for SDC insertion and care were established and followed, after which the infection frequency was reduced to 7.5% (1 episode per 45.5 patient-weeks of catheter use) in this high-risk population.
mesh_terms: D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013350:Subclavian Vein