Pathogenesis of sepsis with central venous catheter use: alternate locus-related versus central venous catheter-related sepsis.
OBJECTIVE
To review literature identifying a central venous catheter (CVC) as either a primary or a secondary source of sepsis.


METHODS
Studies of CVC use in adults, children, and infants from 1968 to 1994.


METHODS
Selection of 10 studies was based on documented distinction between CVC-related and alternate infectious locus-related sepsis.


METHODS
Abstracted from each study were either total sepsis or colonization rates, as well as the percentages of infection related to the CVC and to alternate infectious loci.


RESULTS
Percentages of alternate-locus-related sepsis can be two to four times greater than percentages of CVC-related sepsis.


CONCLUSIONS
The potential exists for the development of alternate-locus-related sepsis in patients with CVCs. Surveillance measures should reflect this potential.
Chathas
M K
MK
Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, IL, USA.
Paton
J B
JB
D000328:Adult; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control