Abstract
Intravascular catheters are essential in medical practice. However, their use is often complicated by serious infections, mostly bloodstream infections with attributable mortality rate from 1% to 40%. A variety of highly sensitive and specific "conservative" diagnostic tests (Gramstain and AOLC test; differential quantitative blood cultures; differential time to positivity; endoluminal brushing; molecular techniques) that do not require removal of the catheter have been recently developed. However, careful attention to preventive measures is mandatory to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with catheter infections. Antimicrobial/antiseptic impregnated catheters (chlorexidine/silver sulfadiazine; minocyline/rifampin) provide improved efficacy in preventing infections and might be cost-effective in high risk patients. To modify clinical practice further trials are required.
Translated title of the contribution | New technologies for prevention and rapid diagnosis of central venous catheter-related infections |
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Original language | Italian |
Pages (from-to) | 32-40 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Nutritional Therapy and Metabolism |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2006 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
- Nutrition and Dietetics