title: Long term central venous access catheters: review of 134 catheters inserted in 100 patients.
abstract: The first 100 patients at Westmead Centre who received long term central venous access catheters were reviewed. The indication for insertion in 77% of the patients was administration of chemotherapy, 15% had insertion for parenteral nutrition and 8% for blood product administration or anti-microbial therapy. Catheter manipulations were carried out under strict aseptic conditions by a limited group of nursing staff. Of the catheters, 73.1% functioned satisfactorily and were removed electively or were functioning at death or time of review. The main reason for removal was suspected infection, but this was proven in only 4.5% although strongly suspected in another 5.2%. The infection rate was 13 episodes per 13 987 catheter days. The duration of function of catheters was analysed by the life table method, demonstrating a 50% catheter survival rate of 300 days.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D013997:Time Factors; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents