Complications of radiologically placed central venous ports and Hickman catheters in patients with AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
To determine any differences in the complications following radiologic placement of 2 devices--Hickman catheters and central venous ports--to permit long-term central venous access in patients with AIDS.


METHODS
Thirty-eight patients with AIDS received 52 long-term central venous access catheters. Seventeen received 23 Hickman catheters and 27 received 29 central venous ports (hence, 6 patients received both). Complications rates were determined retrospectively from clinical records and radiologic studies.


RESULTS
The only acute complications were pneumothoraces--3 in the patients receiving Hickman catheters and 2 in the patients receiving central venous ports. Infections developed in 12 of the patients receiving Hickman catheters a median of 53 and a mean of 96 days after placement. Infection developed in 8 of the patients receiving central venous ports a median of 125 days and a mean of 184 days after placement. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The most common organism in these infections was Staphylococcus aureus. The only other nonacute complication was 1 nonocclusive thrombosis of the superior vena cava, which occurred in a patient with a Hickman catheter 240 days after placement and resolved once the catheter was removed.


CONCLUSIONS
Central venous ports are preferred over Hickman catheters for long-term central venous access in patients with AIDS.
Muscedere
G
G
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, St. Joseph's Health Centre, London, Ont.
Bennett
J D
JD
Lee
T Y
TY
Mackie
I
I
Vanderburgh
L
L
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D015642:Radiology, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis; D013350:Subclavian Vein; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior