Previous PICC Placement May Be Associated With Catheter-Related Infections in Hemodialysis Patients

• Published in: Cardiovascular and interventional radiology Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 120 - 123
• Main Authors: Butler, Philip J., Sood, Shreya, Mojibian, Hamid, Tal, Michael G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01.02.2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Cardiology; CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES; Catheter-Related Infections - epidemiology; Catheter-Related Infections - etiology; Catheterization, Central Venous - adverse effects; Catheterization, Peripheral - adverse effects; Clinical Investigation; DISEASES; Female; HAZARDS; Humans; Imaging; Incidence; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; MORTALITY; Nuclear Medicine; PATIENTS; POPULATIONS; Radiology; RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE; Renal Dialysis - instrumentation; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; THROMBOSIS; Ultrasound; VASCULAR DISEASES; Infection; Catheter-related infection; Hemodialysis; Catheter; Dialysis; PICC; Dialysis catheter
• ISSN: 0174-1551; 1432-086X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00270-010-9974-z

Background Catheter-related infections (CRIs) are a significant source of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. The identification of novel, modifiable risk factors for CRIs may lead to improved outcomes in this population. Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have been hypothesized to compromise vascular access due to vascular damage and venous thrombosis, whereas venous thrombosis has been linked to the development of CRIs. Here we examine the association between PICC placement and CRIs. Methods A retrospective review was performed of all chronic hemodialysis catheter placements and exchanges performed at a large university hospital from September 2003 to September 2008. History of PICC line use was determined by examining hospital radiologic records from December 1993 to September 2008. Catheter-related complications were assessed and correlated with PICC line history. Results One hundred eighty-five patients with 713 chronic tunneled hemodialysis catheter placements were identified. Thirty-eight of those patients (20.5%) had a history of PICC placement; these patients were more likely to have CRIs (odds ratio = 2.46, 95% confidence interval = 1.71–3.53, p  < .001) compared with patients without a history of PICC placement. There was no difference between the two groups in age or number of catheters placed. Conclusion Previous PICC placement may be associated with catheter-related infections in hemodialysis patients.