title: Vancomycin prevents polytetrafluoroethylene graft infections in pediatric patients receiving chronic hemodialysis.
abstract: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts have been a useful addition to the pediatric hemodialysis vascular access armamentarium. In this study, 17 pediatric patients underwent 331 total months of hemodialysis via PTFE grafts. There was a statistically significant (P less than .025) decrease in the incidence of graft infections in 12 patients (235 patient-months) while receiving prophylactic parenteral vancomycin compared with 9 patients (96 patient-months) while receiving no vancomycin (0% v 44%). Vancomycin side effects were uncommon and mild. Vancomycin is a safe and effective agent for the prevention of PTFE graft infections in pediatric patients receiving chronic hemodialysis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014640:Vancomycin; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene