title: Systematic review of antimicrobials for the prevention of haemodialysis catheter-related infections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Almost 30% of chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients are dependent on central venous catheters (CVCs) for their vascular access, and catheter-related bacteraemia (CRB) is the major reason for catheter loss and has been associated with substantial morbidity, including meta-static infections. This systematic review evaluates the benefits and harms of antimicrobial interventions for the prevention of catheter-related infections (CRIs).
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE (1950-May 2009), EMBASE (1980-May 2009) CENTRAL (up to May 2009) and bibliographies of retrieved articles were searched for relevant RCTs. Analysis was by a random effects model and results expressed as rate ratio, relative risk (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 29 trials with 2886 patients and 3005 catheters were included. Antimicrobial catheter locks (AMLs) significantly reduced the rates of CRBs (rate ratio, 0.33, 95% CI 0.24-0.45) and exit-site infections (ESIs) (rate ratio 0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.96). Exit-site antimicrobial application also significantly reduced the rates of CRBs (rate ratio 0.21, 95% CI 0.12-0.36) and ESIs (rate ratio 0.22, 95% CI 0.10-0.47). Antimicrobial coating of HD catheters and the use of peri-operative antimicrobials did not result in significant reduction in rates of CRBs and ESIs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of AMLs and exit-site antimicrobials are useful measures in the reduction of CRIs, whereas antimicrobial impregnated catheters and peri-operative systemic antimicrobial administration have not been found to be beneficial. Further head-to-head trials of various AMLs and exit-site antimicrobials are needed to know about their comparative clinical efficacy.
authors: Renal Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK. ksrabi@yahoo.co.uk
authors: Kannaiyan S
authors: KS
authors: Rabindranath
authors: Tarun
authors: T
authors: Bansal
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Adams
authors: Ruma
authors: R
authors: Das
authors: Ranjit
authors: R
authors: Shail
authors: Alison M
authors: AM
authors: MacLeod
authors: Carol
authors: C
authors: Moore
authors: Anatole
authors: A
authors: Besarab
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D006435:Renal Dialysis
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents