Randomized, controlled trial of amoxicillin prophylaxis for prevention of catheter-related infections in newborn infants with central venous silicone elastomer catheters. Prevention of central venous catheter-related coagulase-negative staphylococcal sepsis in neonates. The ex vivo antimicrobial activity and colonization rate of two antimicrobial-bonded central venous catheters. A randomized trial comparing peripherally inserted central venous catheters and peripheral intravenous catheters in infants with very low birth weight. Impact of oligon central venous catheters on catheter colonization and catheter-related bloodstream infection. Central venous line sepsis in the intensive care unit. A study comparing antibiotic coated catheters with plain catheters. In-line filters in central venous catheters in a neonatal intensive care unit. Randomized comparative trial between percutaneous longlines and peripheral cannulae in the delivery of neonatal parenteral nutrition. A randomized, controlled trial of heparin versus placebo infusion to prolong the usability of peripherally placed percutaneous central venous catheters (PCVCs) in neonates: the HIP (Heparin Infusion for PCVC) study. Prevention of indwelling central venous catheter sepsis. Prevention of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection by use of an antiseptic-impregnated catheter. A randomized, controlled trial.
To clarify the effectiveness of amoxicillin prophylaxis in the prevention of catheter-related infections.
                We performed a randomized, controlled, sequential, prospective trial in newborn infants undergoing percutaneous central venous catheterization.
                Seventy-five infants (median birth weight, 1240 gm; median age at catheter insertion, 3 days) received prophylactic amoxicillin (100 mg/kg per day); 73 infants in the control group (median birth weight, 1170 gm; median age, 2 days) received no routine prophylactic antibiotic treatment. No infant receiving amoxicillin had septicemia, whereas two infants (2.7%) in the control group did; suspected septicemia (positive clinical and laboratory findings but negative blood culture results) was found in 3 infants in the amoxicillin group and in 6 of the control group (not significantly). Bacterial contamination of the catheter tip at removal was significantly reduced in the amoxicillin group (13.3% vs 28.8% in control subjects; p < 0.05). Negligible differences were found in duration of catheterization (median, 15 days in both groups), or the number of thrombotic (9.3% vs 2.7% in control subjects) and other catheter-related complications between the groups.
                A low incidence of catheter-related infections can be achieved in neonates with central venous catheters without using prophylaxis with an antibiotic. A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted to determine whether vancomycin added to parenteral alimentation solution given via a central venous catheter would decrease the incidence of catheter-related coagulase-negative staphylococcal sepsis. Seventy infants with a central venous catheter (CVC) in place were randomly selected to receive total parenteral nutrition--either the standard solution or a solution containing 25 micrograms of vancomycin per milliliter. Catheter-related sepsis was defined as the isolation of the same bacterial species from specimens of both peripheral and CVC blood with the concentration of bacteria at least tenfold greater in the specimen obtained from the CVC. Specimens from the CVCs were cultured on removal of the catheters to determine colonization. The colonization of catheters by coagulase-negative staphylococci was reduced from 40% to 22% (p = 0.03) in the vancomycin group; catheter-related sepsis was reduced from 15% to no cases (p = 0.004). Fewer infants required CVC reinsertion in the vancomycin-treated group (p = 0.02), who also regained birth weight earlier (13.4 vs 17.1 days (p = 0.014)). Adverse effects of vancomycin infusion were not observed. We conclude that vancomycin added to the solution used for total parenteral nutrition effectively reduces catheter-related sepsis in the neonatal intensive care unit and offers other potential benefits such as the need for fewer catheters and earlier weight gain. However, we do not recommend widespread implementation of this technique until there are data regarding the emergence of vancomycin-resistant organisms. Catheter-related sepsis is an important complication associated with the use of central venous catheters. Recent studies have suggested that antimicrobial-bonded catheters may reduce catheter colonization and catheter-related sepsis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the antimicrobial activity and the colonization rate of two commercially available antimicrobial-bonded central venous catheters.
                Prospective, randomized, controlled, nonblinded study.
                Medical intensive care unit of a university-affiliated teaching hospital.
                One hundred twenty consecutive medical intensive care unit patients requiring new central venous catheters (fresh stick).
                Patients were randomized to receive a) a Standard Arrow; b) an ARROWgard; or c) a Cook Bio-Guard Spectrum central venous catheter. Central venous catheters were removed when they were no longer required or when catheter-related sepsis was suspected. Under aseptic conditions, the distal 12 cm of the removed catheters were cut into six 2-cm segments. Semiquantitative culture was performed (by roll technique) on the distal segment. Colonization was defined as >15 colony-forming units. Using a modified Kirby-Bauer technique, the zone of inhibition of the remaining five segments was determined against the following organisms: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Candida albicans Catheters that were removed within 24 hrs of insertion were excluded from the analysis.
                Seven patients were not assessable. The baseline clinical and demographic characteristics were similar among the three groups of patients. Eleven Standard Arrow (28%), seven ARROWgard (19%), and four Bio-Guard (11%) catheters were colonized (p = .05 for Bio-Guard vs. control). Staphylococci were the most common colonizing organisms. Two patients with Standard Arrow catheters (5%) and one patient with an ARROWgard catheter (3%) developed catheter-related sepsis. Antibiotic-coated catheters significantly inhibited the growth of all test organisms except C. albicans (p < or = .05). Zones of inhibition were significantly larger for the Bio-Guard compared with the ARROWgard catheter when tested against MRSA, S. epidermidis, and E. faecalis (p < or = .002).
                The Bio-Guard central venous catheter had greater ex vivo antimicrobial activity against MRSA, S. epidermidis, and E. faecalis compared with the ARROWgard catheter, and this was associated with a significantly lower rate of catheter colonization. To determine whether percutaneously inserted central venous catheters (PICC) and peripheral intravenous catheters (PIV) in infants with very low birth weight (VLBW) differ with respect to (1) incidence of sepsis, (2) number of insertion attempts and catheters required for total intravenous therapy, (3) courses of antibiotics, and (4) total duration of intravenous (IV) use.
                A randomized comparative trial was conducted involving 63 VLBW infants (<1,251 g) who required IV therapy. Infants were assigned randomly at 1 week of age to either a PIV or a PICC catheter and followed up prospectively until an IV was no longer required or the infant was transferred out of the neonatal intensive care unit.
                Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. There was no difference in the incidence of sepsis (P = .64), number of courses of antibiotics (P = .16), or total duration of IV use (P= .34) between the 2 groups. The number of insertion attempts required for total IV therapy was significantly lower in the PICC group than in the PIV group (P = .008). There also was a significantly lower number of total catheters utilized in the PICC group (P = .002). When data were controlled for birth weight strata the results were similar.
                PICC lines reduced the number of painful IV procedures in VLBW infants without additional morbidity. To evaluate a new antimicrobial treatment for central venous catheters in comparison with a traditional treatment, by assessing the catheter colonization and catheter-related bloodstream infection rates in two groups of patients.
                Multiple-center, prospective randomized study.
                The medical and surgical departments of ten institutions.
                Patients requiring a central venous catheter for medical or surgical pathologies between June 2000 and November 2001.
                Patients in the control group received a conventional benzalkonium-treated double-lumen central venous catheter, while patients in the oligon group received an oligon-treated (polyurethane combined with silver, carbon, and platinum) catheter with the same characteristics. Data collection included demographics, preexisting clinical conditions, main pathology, catheter insertion, and management data. Catheter colonization was defined as the growth of > or = 15 colony-forming units in culture of catheter segments by the roll-plate method, or > or = 1000 colony-forming units for the sonication method, and catheter-related bloodstream infection was defined as isolation of the same organism from the colonized catheter and from the peripheral blood of a patient with clinical signs of bloodstream infection.
                Data were obtained from 545 catheters. Of these, 132 catheters (24.2%) were positive for colonization. Patients in the oligon group demonstrated a lower risk for catheter colonization in the overall population (relative risk, 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-0.86; p = .003) and in the surgical subgroup (relative risk, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.76;p = .001). Significant differences between groups were detected for coagulase-negative staphylococci and Gram-negative bacilli colonization rates. Twenty-one patients (3.8%) were positive for catheter-related bloodstream infection, without significant differences between control and oligon groups.
                Oligon treatment is effective in limiting the catheter colonization rate. Due to the limited amount of events, this study lacked the power to detect significant differences in terms of catheter-related bloodstream infection rate. A randomized controlled clinical trial was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic bonded lines in the reduction of central venous catheter infection. One hundred and seventy-six plain and bonded catheters were inserted into one hundred and ten patients in an intensive care unit, many of whom were admitted with evidence of sepsis. The catheters used in the study group, which had been pre-treated by the manufacturers with the cationic surfactant tridodecylmethylammonium chloride, were bonded with vancomycin 1 g made up in 10 ml of water immediately prior to insertion. The catheters used in the control group were neither pre-treated nor bonded with vancomycin. Eighty percent of control group catheters were infected compared with 62% of study catheters (p = 0.01). The most common organism isolated was coagulase negative staphylococcus. We conclude that antibiotic bonding can reduce central venous catheter infection even in a patient population with a high incidence of sepsis. Nosocomial sepsis remains an important cause of morbidity in neonatal intensive care units. Central venous catheters (CVCs) and parenteral nutrition (TPN) are major risk factors. In-line filters in the intravenous (IV) administration sets prevent the infusion of particles, which may reduce infectious complications. We randomized infants to in-line filter (for clear fluids and lipid emulsions) or no filter placement. Sepsis, nursing time and costs were assessed. IV sets without filters were changed every 24 h, IV-sets with filters every 96 h. Of 442 infants with a CVC, 228 were randomized to filter placement, 214 to no filter. No differences were found in clinical characteristics, CVC-use, and catheter days. Nosocomial sepsis occurred in 37 (16.2%) infants with filters, in 35 (16.3%) in the group without filter (NS). Nursing time to change the IV-administration sets was 4 min shorter in the filter-group (P<0.05). Costs of materials used were comparable. In conclusion, the incidence of sepsis when using filters was not reduced but the nursing time for changing the intravenous sets was reduced without a difference in costs. Percutaneously inserted central venous catheters (CVCs) are frequently used for parenteral nutrition (PN) in neonates. Catheter-related sepsis (CRS) is the most commonly reported complication. The aim of this study was to compare sepsis rates between neonates receiving PN by CVC and by peripheral cannula. Neonates were randomized to receive PN either by CVC or by peripheral cannula. Primary outcomes were sepsis rates and efficacy of PN delivery. Interim analysis (49 neonates) revealed no difference in sepsis rates (CVC group 46%, cannula group 40%, p = 0.57). There was a significant discrepancy in PN delivered (median deficit 3.2% in the CVC group, 10.3% in the cannula group, p=0.0014). After consideration of these findings the study was terminated. Conclusion: Because the trial was stopped early, small but clinically important differences in the rates of sepsis may have been missed. Neonates in the cannula group accrued significant deficits of PN owing to a lack of venous access. This may contribute to undernutrition in neonates. CVC can be advocated for PN administration, in that sepsis appears to be no higher than when using cannulae and delivery of nutrition is significantly better. Mechanical and infectious complications shorten the effective duration of peripherally inserted central venous catheters. Heparin use to prevent such complications and prolong the usability of peripherally inserted central venous catheters is inconclusive.
                Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of heparin in prolonging the usability of peripherally inserted central venous catheters in neonates.
                We performed a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of heparin infusion (0.5 U/kg per hour) versus placebo for peripherally inserted central venous catheters in neonates. The primary outcome was duration of catheter use. Secondary outcomes were occlusion, catheter-related sepsis, thrombosis, and adverse effects of heparin. To detect a 168-hour (1-week) difference in the duration of catheter use, 192 patients were needed. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed.
                A total of 201 neonates were enrolled (heparin group: n = 100; control group: n = 101). Baseline demographics were similar between the groups. Duration of catheter use was longer in the infants in the heparin versus the placebo group. Study center, gender, birth weight, and type and position of the catheter were not predictors of duration of catheter use. For those in the heparin versus the placebo group, the incidence of elective catheter removal (therapy completed) was 63% vs 42%, of occlusion was 6% vs 31%, of thrombosis was 20% vs 21%, and of catheter-related sepsis was 10% vs 6%, respectively. No adverse events were noted.
                Heparin infusion prolonged the duration of peripherally inserted central venous catheter usability, which permitted a higher percentage of neonates to complete therapy without increasing adverse effects. In an attempt to decrease the incidence of central venous catheter sepsis in children with cancer, we conducted a study to evaluate the benefit of adding broad-spectrum antibiotics to the catheter "flush solution." In a prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized trial, 69 children with different types of malignancies were studied. The central venous catheters in these children were flushed with either the standard solution (normal saline + 100 U/ml of heparin) or the study solution (25 microgram/ml of both amikacin and vancomycin added to the standard solution). At the conclusion of the study, 64 children with a total of 67 indwelling central venous lines were assessable. The total catheter days on study were 20,700 days, with a median of 323 catheter days per patient. We documented 10 events of catheter-related infections (0.49 events/1,000 catheter days at risk). Five of these events were catheter-related sepsis (0.24 sepses/1,000 catheter days): two were fungal and three were bacterial. Due to the low incidence of catheter-related sepsis in this study, no statement regarding the prophylactic use of antibiotics could be made. The extremely low rate of catheter-related sepsis reported herein may be retrospectively attributed to continuous staff education regarding aseptic techniques in handling these catheters. Staff education is essential, and probably the most effective factor in preventing catheter-related sepsis. Bloodstream infection related to short-term use of noncuffed central venous catheters is a common and serious problem. Technologic innovations to reduce the risk for these infections are needed.
                To determine 1) the efficacy of a novel antiseptic catheter in preventing central venous catheter-related infection, 2) patient tolerance of this catheter, and 3) the sources of bloodstream infection originating from noncuffed, multilumen central venous catheters.
                Randomized, controlled clinical trial.
                Medical-surgical intensive care unit of a 450-bed university hospital.
                158 adults scheduled to receive a central venous catheter; 403 catheters were studied.
                Participants received either a standard triple-lumen polyurethane catheter or a catheter that was indistinguishable from the standard catheter and was impregnated with chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine.
                Catheters were studied for colonization and catheter-related bloodstream infection at removal; local and systemic effects of catheters were assessed. The origin of each catheter-associated bloodstream infection was sought by culturing all potential sources (skin, catheter segments, hubs, and infusate) and confirmed by restriction-fragment DNA subtyping.
                Antiseptic catheters were less likely to be colonized at removal than control catheters (13.5 compared with 24.1 colonized catheters per 100 catheters; relative risk, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.36 to 0.89]; P = 0.005) and were nearly fivefold less likely to produce bloodstream infection (1.0 compared with 4.7 infections per 100 catheters; 1.6 compared with 7.6 infections per 1000 catheter-days; relative risk, 0.21 [CI, 0.03 to 0.95]; P = 0.03). In the control group, 8 catheter-related bloodstream infections were caused by Staphylococcus aureus, gram-negative bacilli, enterococci, or Candida species; no infections with these organisms occurred in the antiseptic catheter group (P = 0.003). No adverse effects from the antiseptic catheter were seen, and none of the 122 isolates obtained from infected catheters in either group showed in vitro resistance to chlorhexidine-silver sulfadiazine. Cost-benefit analysis indicated that the antiseptic catheter should prove cost-beneficial if an institution's rate of catheter-related bacteremia with noncuffed central venous catheters is at least 3 infections per 1000 catheter-days).
                The chlorhexidine-silver sulfadiazine catheter is well tolerated, reduces the incidence of catheter-related infection, extends the time that noncuffed central venous catheters can be safely left in place for the short term, and should allow cost savings.
Prophylactic systemic antibiotics in neonates with a central venous catheter reduces the rate of proven or suspected septicaemia. However, this may not be clinically important in the face of no significant difference in overall mortality and the lack of data on long-term neurodevelopmental outcome. Furthermore, there is a lack of data pertaining to the potentially significant disadvantages of this approach such as the selection of resistant organisms. The routine use of prophylactic antibiotics in infants with central venous catheters in neonatal units cannot currently be recommended.