title: Silver coating of dialysis catheters to reduce bacterial colonization and infection.
abstract: Complications resulting from infection remain a major problem for hemodialysis catheters, with significant numbers of catheters being removed due to catheter-related sepsis. Numerous strategies have been employed to reduce the occurrence of infection and improve long-term outcomes, with varying degrees of success. One promising approach is coating the external surface of catheters with silver using physical vapor deposition processes. This article reviews results of animal and clinical experiments conducted to assess efficacy and biocompatibility of silver-coated dialysis catheters. It is concluded that silver coatings can reduce bacterial colonization and occurrence of infection associated with these devices.
authors.affiliation: Spire Biomedical, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730-2396, USA. etobin@spirecorp.com
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bambauer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000382:microbiology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012834:Silver
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D012834:Silver