title: Effectiveness of silver-impregnated central venous catheters for preventing catheter-related blood stream infections: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effectiveness of silver-impregnated central venous catheters (CVCs) in preventing catheter bacterial colonization and catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSIs).
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched up to April 30, 2014. Studies in which other antiseptic reagents were used (e.g., chlorhexidine, octenidine dihydrochloride, urokinase rinses, benzalkonium chloride, rifampin-minocycline) were excluded. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Tests of heterogeneity and publication bias were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve studies were included in the meta-analysis. The studies enrolled a total of 2854 patients; 1440 received a standard CVC and 1414 received a silver-impregnated CVC. No significant difference in catheter bacterial colonization rates was found between silver-impregnated and standard CVCs (OR 0.907, 95% CI 0.758-1.087, p=0.290). No significant difference in CRBSI rates was found between silver-impregnated and standard CVCs (pooled OR 0.721, 95% CI 0.476-1.094, p=0.124). No significant heterogeneity or publication bias was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Silver-impregnated CVCs are not associated with reduced rates of bacterial colonization or CRBSI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, No. 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, China.
authors.forename: Ya-Mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Nursing School, Changsha Medical University, Leifeng Road, Wangcheng District, Changsha 410219, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Ai-Ping
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, No. 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, China. Electronic address: shlzk2002@163.com.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, No. 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, China. Electronic address: liuzhanju88@126.com.
authors.forename: Zhan-Ju
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, No. 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, China.
authors.forename: Mei-Fang
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Bing
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D062905:Central Venous Catheters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012834:Silver
chemical_list: D012834:Silver
keywords: Bacterial colonization; Catheter-related blood stream infection; Central venous catheter; Meta-analysis; Silver