CATHETER INFECTION IN INTENSIVE-CARE - SY STEMATIC REPLACEMENT OF CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERS ON A GUIDE-WIRE EVERY 4 DAYS

OBJECTIVES: Determine whether systematic replacement of central venous catheters on a guide wire every 4 days leads to a lower rate of cache ter infection. METHODS: We conducted a prospective randomized study co mparing systematic catheter replacement with the standard procedure wh ere one-way catheters are left in situ as needed. RESULTS: The study i ncluded 150 patients and 170 catheters. Catheter replacement on a guid e wire was performed 169 rimes. The rate of infection was not signific antly different between the group of patients with replacement (3.7 fo r 1000 catheter days) and the group with sustematic replacement (5.4 f or 1000 catheter days). No mechanical complications occurred during th e replace ment procedures on guide wires. CONCLUSION: We do not recomm end systematically replacing catheters on a guide wire for the prevent ion of catheter infection. This procedure may however be indicated in case oi suspected catheter infection as no mechanical of infectious co mplications occurred.