Centrally inserted totally implanted vascular access ports (PORTs) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are widely used for the administration of chemotherapy. Our aim was to study the ...incidence of catheter-related deep venous thrombosis in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy through either a PICC or a PORT.
Adults with non-haematological cancer (mainly breast and colorectal) from two Swedish oncology centres were included and followed for up to 1 yr. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a single-lumen PICC or PORT. The primary end point was the occurrence of a clinically significant catheter-related deep venous thrombosis, and the secondary end point was a composite of adverse events related to the catheter: insertion complication, thrombosis, occlusion, infection, and mechanical problems.
The trial recruited 399 participants (PICC, n=201; PORT, n=198) between March 2013 and February 2017. The PICCs were associated with 16 (8%) deep venous thromboses compared with two (1%) in the PORT group (HR=10.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.3–44.6; P=0.002). The overall incidence of composite adverse events was higher for patients with a PICC compared with those with a PORT (HR=2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.6–4.6; P<0.001).
PICCs are associated with higher risk for catheter-related deep venous thrombosis and other adverse events when compared with PORTs. This increased risk should be considered when choosing a vascular access device for chemotherapy, especially in patients with solid malignancy.
NCT01971021.
Purpose
Indwelling central venous catheters (CVCs) have been increasingly used to enable delivery of intravenous chemotherapy. We aimed to compare the safety and cost of two commonly used CVCs, ...peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICCs) and ports, in the delivery of chemotherapy in patients with non-haematological malignancies.
Methods
Seventy patients were randomly assigned to receive either a PICC or a port. The primary endpoint was occurrence of major complications, which required removal of the CVC and secondary endpoints included occurrence of any complications.
Results
Port devices were associated with fewer complications compared with PICC lines (hazard ratio of 0.25, CI, 0.09–0.86,
P
= 0.038). Major complication rate was lower in the port arm compared to the PICC arm (0.047 versus 0.193 major complications/100 catheter days,
P
= 0.034) with 6 versus 20 % of patients experiencing major complications, respectively. Thrombosis, the most common complication, was significantly higher in the PICC arm compared to the port arm (25 versus 0 %,
P
= 0.013). Quality of life and cost estimates did not differ significantly between the two arms.
Conclusions
Port devices are associated with a lower risk of complications, with no difference in cost, compared to PICC lines in patients with non-haematological malignancies receiving intravenous chemotherapy.
Children may require durable central venous catheters (CVCs) for various reasons. CVC-related integrity complications are common and can often be repaired at the bedside to increase lifetime. ...Variability in repair techniques can lead to complications, including the need for repeat repair and Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI).
The impact of an educational curriculum to standardize tunneled CVC repairs for trainees on a pediatric surgery service was studied, focusing on comfort level with tunneled CVC repair and to determine the impact on complication rates. Rotating trainees studied a dedicated audiovisual educational curriculum comprised of a video, educational slides, and a practical component from November 2020 through January 2022. Experience and comfort level with tunneled CVC repairs were assessed before and after the rotation. CVCs repaired during the duration of the study were evaluated and compared to the period prior.
Forty-nine individuals completed the pre- and post-training survey. Respondents (34.7%, n = 17) most commonly reported one year of surgical experience, and (79.6%, n = 39) had never observed or assisted in a repair previously. Following training, respondents felt more comfortable with all aspects of the CVC repair process (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in re-repair rates or CLABSI rates following the implementation of the curriculum.
Tunneled CVC procedural repair variability can be standardized with a dedicated educational curriculum for rotating trainees, which improves knowledge and comfort with such procedures.
How I Do It Millington, Scott J.; Colvin, Mai Otsuka; Shiloh, Ariel L. ...
Chest,
December 2020, 2020-12-00, Volume:
158, Issue:
6
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Central venous catheterization is routinely performed in the ICU to obtain venous access for hemodynamic monitoring, parenteral nutritional support, hemodialysis, and delivery of fluids and ...vasoactive medications. Although central venous catheters can be lifesaving, their insertion is not without risk. Historically, central veins were accessed using landmark-based techniques, but the medical literature strongly supports the use of ultrasound guidance. The purpose of this article is to review the basic principles of real-time ultrasound-guided internal jugular and femoral catheter placement. An approach for incorporating these tools into clinical practice is presented, along with illustrative figures and video.
The decision to convert from catheter to arteriovenous access is difficult yet very important. The ability to accurately predict fistula survival prior to surgery would significantly improve the ...decision making process. Many previously investigated demographic and clinical features have been associated with fistula failure. However, it is not conclusively understood how reliable predictions based on these parameters are at an individual level. The aim of this study was to investigate the probability of arteriovenous fistula maturation and survival after conversion using machine learning workflows.
A retrospective cohort study on multicentre data from a large North American dialysis organisation was conducted. The study population comprised 73 031 chronic in centre haemodialysis patients. The dataset included 49 variables including demographic and clinical features. Two distinct feature selection and prediction pipelines were used: LASSO regression and Boruta followed by a random forest classifier. Predictions were facilitated for re-conversion to catheter within one year. Additionally, all cause mortality predictions were conducted to serve as a comparator.
In total, 38 151 patients (52.2%) had complete data and made up the main cohort. Sensitivity analyses were conducted in 67 421 patients (92.3%) after eliminating variables with a high proportion of missing data points. Selected features diverged between datasets and workflows. A previously failed arteriovenous access appeared to be the most stable predictor for subsequent failure. Prediction of re-conversion based on the demographic and clinical information resulted in an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROCAUC) between 0.541 and 0.571, whereas models predicting all cause mortality performed considerably better (ROCAUC 0.662 – 0.683).
While group level depiction of major adverse outcomes after catheter to arteriovenous fistula or graft conversion is possible using the included variables, patient level predictions are associated with limited performance. Factors during and after fistula creation as well as biomolecular and genetic biomarkers might be more relevant predictors of fistula survival than baseline clinical conditions.
Incidence of central venous catheter (CVC)-related thrombosis in critically ill patients remains ambiguous and its association with potential hazardous sequelae unknown. The primary aim of the study ...was to evaluate the epidemiology of CVC-related thrombosis; secondary aims were to assess the association of catheter-related thrombosis with catheter-related infection, pulmonary embolism and mortality.
This was a single-center, prospective observational study conducted at a tertiary intensive care unit (ICU) in the Netherlands. The study population consisted of CVC placements in adult ICU patients with a minimal indwelling time of 48 h. CVC-related thrombosis was diagnosed with ultrasonography. Primary outcomes were prevalence and incidence, incidence was reported as the number of cases per 1000 indwelling days.
173 CVCs in 147 patients were included. Median age of patients was 64.0 IQR: 52.0, 72.0 and 71.1 % were male. Prevalence of thrombosis was 0.56 (95 % CI: 0.49, 0.63) and incidence per 1000 indwelling days was 65.7 (95 % CI: 59.0, 72.3). No association with catheter-related infection was found (p = 0.566). There was a significant association with pulmonary embolism (p = 0.022). All 173 CVCs were included in the survival analysis. Catheter-related thrombosis was associated with a lower 28-day mortality risk (hazard ratio: 0.39, 95 % CI: 0.17, 0.87).
In critically ill patients, prevalence and incidence of catheter-related thrombosis were high. Catheter-related thrombosis was not associated with catheter-related infections, but was associated with pulmonary embolism and a decreased mortality risk.
•There is a high rate of catheter-related thrombosis in critically ill patients.•Catheter-related thrombosis was associated with a lower mortality risk.•Pulmonary embolism and catheter-related thrombosis were associated.•Catheter-related thrombosis was not associated with catheter-related infection.