title: Assessment of catheter-associated infection risk with the Hickman right atrial catheter.
abstract: One hundred fifty Hickman right atrial catheters were inserted into 143 patients and were followed prospectively until removal. Primary indications for their use were: cancer chemotherapy (45), parenteral nutrition (35), antibiotic therapy (63), and miscellaneous (7). The overall catheter-associated infection rate was 12.0%. Since the mean duration of catheterization was 125 days, the infection/duration rate was 1.0/1,000 days of use. The risk of infection differed significantly according to the primary indication for catheterization: parenteral nutrition greater than antibiotic therapy greater than cancer chemotherapy. The increased risk of catheter-associated infection attributable to duration of catheterization was additive, and the per day risk of such infections remained constant regardless of duration. Nearly two-thirds of patients were discharged home with catheters in place, without adversely affecting infection risk.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents