[Infectious complications related to non-tunneled central venous catheters in immunocompromised patients: prospective study about 210 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate infectious complications related to non-tunneled central venous catheter in immunocompromised patients, in a bone marrow unit.


METHODS
From July to April 2002, we inserted 210 non-tunneled central venous catheters in 139 immunocompromised patients (52 F/87 M). The mean age was 26 years (3-56 years). Our study included 33 children aged from 3 to 15 years, on whom 46 catheters were placed. The catheters were placed for the following indications: 145 catheters were used in subjects who received a bone marrow transplantation, 58 catheters were placed in subjects who received chemotherapy for acute leukemia and seven catheters were used in patients who received immunosuppressive therapy.


RESULTS
The mean duration of catheterization was 33 days (7-114 days). There were 3.1 catheter-related infections per 1000 catheter-days. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci were implicated in 64% of cases. We observed two pneumothorax (0.9%), one arterial puncture (0.4%) and two catheter-related thrombosis (0.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
Non-tunneled catheters in immunocompromised patients (adults and children) is a safe technique, and is an alternative to the Hickman catheters which are most widely used today in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation.
Abdelkefi
A
A
Centre national de greffe de moelle osseuse, Tunis, Tunisie. aabdelkefi@yahoo.fr
Achour
W
W
Torjman
L
L
Ladeb
S
S
Ben Othman
T
T
Ben Hassen
A
A
Hsaïri
M
M
Ben Abdeladhim
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000293:injuries; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence / Q000502:physiology*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000150:complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents