LONG-TERM CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERS IN PATIENTS WITH ACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME

Background: As long-term vascular access becomes more prevalent among patients with AIDS, it is becoming more important to consider their po tential complications. Methods: One hundred two central venous access devices placed in 84 patients with AIDS were reviewed for septic and m echanical complications. Gatherers were inserted by one surgeon by mea ns of the cephalic vein cutdown technique. The sample included 88 impl anted venous reservoir catheters (86.3%) and 14 tunneled central venou s catheters (13.7%). Results: Mean catheter life was 141 +/- 15 days. Total number of catheter days was 14,383. The catheter-related infecti on rate was 0.125 episodes/100 catheter-days. Staphylococcus aureus wa s the most commonly isolated pathogen in the sample. Mechanical compli cations were rare (0.05 episodes/100 catheter-days). Conclusion: When these data are compared with other, smaller series in the literature, the findings suggest that long-term central venous catheters inserted in patients with AIDS are safe and effective for the multiple infusion therapies required in these patients.