Dynamics of thrombophlebitis in central venous catheterization via basilic and cephalic veins

The incidence distribution of thrombophlebitis after central catheterization via basilic and cephalic veins was investigated, using 227 catheters made of various plain or heparin-coated materials and with differing stiffness and surface structures. The platelet-adhesion stimulating properties were measured in vitro. Thrombophlebitis showed similar incidence patterns with all catheter types. The maximum incidence of venous reaction was found one to ten days after catheter insertion (central tendency 3-8 days with a peak at 5 days). After ten days the risk of thrombophlebitis fell significantly. The results supported the view that central venous catheters inserted via basilic or cephalic veins should not be withdrawn or exchanged as prophylaxis against thrombophlebitis, at any rate when long-term catheterization is intended. For conclusive comparisons between catheter materials regarding induction of clinically apparent thrombophlebitis, all the patients in the trial should be catheterized for ten days or more, unless symptoms of venous reaction arise earlier.     

Material Thrombogenicity in Central Venous Catheterization I. A Comparison Between Uncoated and Heparin-Coated, Long Antebrachial, Polyethylene Catheters

In order to evaluate a new method of heparinization, uncoated (22) and heparin-coated (27) central venous polyethylene catheters were inserted in 49 patients via basilic and cephalic veins punctured at the fossa cubiti. The mean duration of catheterization was 5.7 (1–11) days. One-third of the patients with heparin-coated catheters, and one sixth with uncoated catheters developed clinical thrombophlebitis, with a maximum incidence between 4 and 8 days after catheterization. A higher risk of developing thrombophlebitia in the first 4 days after catheterization was found in the patients with heparin-coated polyethylene catheters. After 8 days of catheterization, it seems that there is a lower risk of new cases of thrombophlebitis appearing both in patients with uncoated and those with heparin-coated polyethylene catheters. Radiological thrombosis, regardless of duration of catheterization and heparin-coating, was demonstrated in all 22 patients investigated by "pull-out" phlebography. The heparin-coating did not decrease the rate of thrombotic complications. Location of the catheter tip in subclavian veins was associated with a significantly higher incidence of large, parietal thrombi and catheter occlusion than when the tip was situated in anonymous veins, the superior vena cava, or the right atrium. Cannulation by heparin-coated, polyethylene tubing did not reduce the rate of catheter occlusion.     

Effect of prolonged infusion on vein calibre: a prospective study.

Infusion thrombophlebitis is common and is the principal limitation to intravenous nutrition (IVN) via a peripheral vein, yet its precise pathogenesis is unclear. Prospective observations were performed on patients in whom a hypertonic, acidic, nutritional emulsion was infused via fine-bore polyurethane catheters placed in peripheral veins. B mode ultrasound was used to determine vein calibre and proved to be a useful means for serial examination during intravenous infusion. Contrary to previous reports, no evidence of venospasm was observed. It is suggested that previous evidence of venoconstriction is erroneous and that other mechanisms are responsible for thrombophlebitis.     

Material Thrombogenicity in Central Venous Catheterization II. A Comparison between Plain Silicone Elastomer, and Plain Polyethylene, Long, Antebrachial Catheters

Central venous catheters of two types were inserted through basilic or cephalic veins punctured at the fossa cubiti in 61 patients: 39 soft silicone elastomer (S.E.) and 22 stiffer polyethylene (P.E.) catheters were compared regarding their thrombogenicity. Mean duration of catheterization was 6.5 days. Radiological thrombi in the peripheral and central veins visualized by phlebography were significantly smaller, and the incidence of the mural thrombi in the central veins significantly lower with the S.E. than with the P.E.-catheters, but the use of S.E.-catheters did not reduce the incidence of clinical thrombophlebitis in arm veins: 14 cases in the group with S.E. and four in that with P.E.-catheters. In both groups, the maximum incidence of clinical thrombophlebitis occurred 4-8 days after catheterization. Later, there seems to be a low risk for the appearance of clinical thrombophlebitis with both catheters. Neither the surface topography of the catheter materials, nor the platelet adhesion on their surfaces in contact with human blood in vitro offered conclusive arguments for interpretation of their thrombogenicity in vivo. Catheter stiffness seems to play an important role in inducing mural thrombus formation in central venous cannulation in man.     

Material Thrombogenicity in Central Venous Catheterization III. A Comparison Between Soft Polyvinylchloride and Soft Polyurethane Elastomer, Long, Antebrachial Catheters

Soft venous catheters, 36 made of polyurethane (PU) and 37 made of polyvinylchloride (PVC), were inserted in 73 patients via basilic and cephalic veins punctured at the cubital fossa, and compared regarding their thrombogenicity. The mean duration of catheterization was 12.5 days. Two patients with PU- and six patients with PVC-catheters developed clinical thrombophlebitis 4–36 days after insertion. The radiological thrombi were rather small with both PU- and PVC-catheters in both peripheral and central veins with no significant difference between the catheters. Also, the incidence of thrombosis and the rate of catheter occlusions were similar. The surface topography of the PVC-catheters was relatively smoother, but less uniform than that of the PU-catheters. Platelet adhesion in vitro to the catheter surfaces, expressed as ATP-concentration in relation to catheter area after contact with human blood, was relatively low with both catheters. The results suggest that soft PU- and PVC-catheters have a similar thrombogenicity.     

Infections sur cathéter : comment réduire l'exposition au risque ?

Subcutaneous tunnelling of short-term catheters and the choice of site of catheter insertion are the two factors which influence the risk of catheter-related infection. Catheters inserted into a femoral vein have been associated with a higher risk of infection than those inserted into a subclavian vein. However, a meta-analysis comparing the internal jugular and subclavian sites did not report any difference. Regarding tunnelling, two randomized studies showed a benefit in terms of infection rates for the jugular and femoral sites when the blood sampling was not performed via the catheters. For the subclavian site tunnelling does not seem to bring any advantage compared to conventional insertion.     

高频彩色多普勒超声在经外周静脉置入 中心静脉导管置管术后随访中的应用

目的探讨高频彩色多普勒超声在经外周静脉置入中心静脉导管（PICC）置管术后随访中的应用价值。方法对87例接受PICC的患者行彩色多普勒超声检查,从置管处静脉向近心端追踪,显示肘正中静脉、贵要静脉或头静脉、锁骨下静脉、头臂静脉、上腔静脉及颈内静脉,观察导管在血管内的位置及走向、导管壁是否呈规整的平行线状回声、置管部位是否受压、静脉管腔内径及血流状态,尤其注意观察是否有血栓形成及血栓形成的部位、累及范围、血流通畅情况。结果 87例中60例清晰显示平行管状回声,管腔通畅,无血栓形成,27例不同部位管腔内有血栓形成,静脉增宽,内可见低回声充填,管腔部分或完全闭塞,血流信号变窄、不规则或完全无血流信号。其中3例伴有颈内静脉血栓形成,管腔完全闭塞。结论 PICC置管术后血栓形成是其主要的并发症,超声可对PICC置管术后患者进行随访观察,及早发现导管脱落或血栓形成。     

Nonsurgical retrieval of intra-cardiovascular catheter fragments

Migrated intra-cardiovascular fragments from broken catheters were retrieved transvenously in 6 cases. In all of these cases, the catheters had been used for total parenteral nutrition. The catheter fragments were lodged in the pulmonary artery in 3 cases and in the right atrium in the others. A basket-type grasping forceps modified for this retrieval technique was inserted via the subclavian vein, femoral vein or basilic vein percutaneously. The migrated catheter fragments were removed successfully without any clinical complications in all 6 cases. Appropriate evaluation of the lodging site and length of the fragment, and careful examination of general condition should be carried out prior to this procedure. This noninvasive maneuver is simple, safe and reliable, and can be promptly. It is considered to be a reliable method of choice in cases of migrated catheter fragment.     

Estimation of central venous pressure by measurement of proximal axillary venous pressure using a "half-way" catheter

The pressure in the proximal axillary vein (AVP) was compared with central venous pressure (CVP) in eight patients during and after elective abdominal surgery. Both pressures were recorded from soft, elastic, polyurethane catheters inserted in the basilic or cephalic veins ("half-way" catheters), punctured at the fossa cubiti (AVP), and via the right jugular vein (CVP). The AVP and CVP were recorded simultaneously using hydrostatic, conventional disposable venous pressure measurement sets. The measurements were performed during intermittent positive pressure ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure from 0 to 7.5 cmH2O (0-0.74 kPa), as well as during spontaneous breathing. During both controlled and spontaneous respiration, small mean differences (0.2-1.0 cmH2O) (0.02-0.1 kPa), and a highly significant (P less than 0.001) positive correlation between CVP- and AVP-values were found. An increase of 1 cmH2O (0.10 kPa) in the CVP was associated with an increment of practically identical order (0.99-1.04 cmH2O) (0.10-0.11 kPa) in the AVP. The results suggest that monitoring of the AVP by a basilic "half-way" catheter produces diagnostic information similar to that from the measurement of the CVP from subclavian, external or internal jugular, as well as "long-way" brachial catheter, with no risk of the major mechanical complications which accompany the use of the latter catheters.     

Long-term use of central venous catheters in paediatric oncology treatment

During a 26-month period, 158 central venous catheters were inserted in 114 children (median age: 4.5 years) with malignant diseases. Polyurethane catheters were used, inserted either using a cut-down procedure or percutaneously in the external or internal jugular vein. All catheters were tunnelled from the point of insertion to the midpoint of the manubrium or upper sternum. The catheter tip reached the superior caval vein or the right atrium in 94% of the cases. The catheters were used for all infusions, including total parenteral nutrition, and for blood sampling. The median catheter duration was 104 days (range 5-835 days). Sixty-eight (43%) of the catheters were removed as they were no longer needed, and 31 (20%) were removed due to local infection or septicaemia. During a total of 23,486 catheter days (64.4 years), 110 episodes of septicaemia occurred. This represents one episode per 214 catheter days. In 43 of the 110 episodes of septicaemia, blood cultures showed growth of bacteria of the kind usually found in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. All septicaemias were treated with intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics and in 21 cases the catheters were removed due to septicaemia. Thirty-four (22%) catheters were removed accidentally. There were two cases of subclavian vein thrombosis.     

Chlorhexidine versus povidone iodine in preventing colonization of continuous epidural catheters in children: a randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine is better than povidone iodine for skin preparation before intravascular device insertion or blood culture collection, but it is not known whether chlorhexidine is superior in reducing colonization of continuous epidural catheters. METHODS: Children requiring an epidural catheter for postoperative analgesia longer than 24 h were randomly assigned to receive skin preparation with an alcoholic solution of 0.5% chlorhexidine or an aqueous solution of 10% povidone iodine before catheter insertion. Using surgical aseptic techniques, catheters were inserted into either the lumbar or the thoracic epidural space based on the preferences of the anesthesia team, on clinical indication, or both. Immediately before epidural catheter removal, their insertion site and hub were qualitatively cultures. After their removal, the catheter tips were quantitatively cultured. Catheters were classified as colonized when their tips yielded 1,000 or more colony-forming units/ml in cultures. RESULTS: Of 100 randomly assigned patients, 96 were evaluable. The clinical characteristics of the patients and the risk factors for infection were similar in the two groups. Catheters were kept in place for a median (range) duration of 50 (range, 21-100) h. Catheters inserted after skin preparation with chlorhexidine were one sixth as likely and less quickly to be colonized as catheters inserted after skin preparation with povidone iodine (1 of 52 catheters [0.9 per 100 catheter days] vs. 5 of 44 catheters [5.6 per 100 catheter days]; relative risk, 0.2 [95% confidence interval, 0.1-1.0]; P = 0.02). Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the only colonizing microorganisms recovered, and the skin surrounding the catheter insertion site was the origin of all the colonizing microorganisms. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with aqueous povidone iodine, the use of alcoholic chlorhexidine for cutaneous antisepsis before epidural catheter insertion reduces the risk of catheter colonization in children.     

A prospective study of subclavian vein catheters used exclusively for the purpose of intravenous feeding.

One hundred and seventy-eight central venous catheters inserted via the subclavian vein for the purposes of intravenous feeding were studied in 77 patients. Insertion of the catheter was complicated by puncture of the subclavian artery on three occasions and by a pneumothorax on two. Catheters remained in situ for a mean period of 10 days. Ninety-two were removed because the requirement for nutrition no longer existed and 86 were removed because of suspected infection, venous thrombosis or mechanical problems. Infective organisms were grown from 17 catheters (9.5 per cent) but other unrelated causes of infection were frequently present in the population under study. Venous thrombosis of a major upper limb vein was seen in 8 patients.     

Prospective Examination of Epidural Catheter Insertion

Background: Although it is generally accepted that inserting epidural catheters 3-4 cm into the epidural space minimizes complications, no prospective randomized examination of epidural catheter insertion length has been published.

Methods: Eight hundred healthy parturients requesting epidural analgesia were randomized to have open-tip epidural catheters inserted 2, 4, 6, or 8 cm within the epidural space. The incidences of intravenous cannulation, unilateral sensory analgesia, and subsequent catheter dislodgment were recorded. Catheter insertions that resulted in intravenous cannulation or unilateral analgesia were incrementally withdrawn and retested with additional local anesthetic to determine the effectiveness of epidural catheter manipulation.

Results: Epidural catheters inserted 8 cm within the epidural space were more likely to result in intravenous cannulation. Epidural catheters inserted 2 cm within the epidural space were less likely to result in unilateral sensory analgesia but were more likely to become dislodged. Twenty-three percent of epidural catheters inserted > 2 cm within the epidural space required manipulation. Epidural catheters inserted 2 or 4 cm required replacement more often than epidural catheters inserted 6 or 8 cm. Ninety-one percent and 50% of epidural catheters that resulted in unilateral sensory analgesia and intravenous cannulation, respectively, provided analgesia for labor and delivery after incremental withdrawal.     

PERCUTANEOUS INSERTION OF LONG-TERM VENOUS ACCESS CATHETERS VIA THE EXTERNAL ILIAC VEIN

Long-term venous access using Hickman catheters and implantable subcutaneous ports is a well established technique. These devices have customarily been inserted via the internal jugular, subclavian or cephalic veins. On occasions, these routes may be unavailable. This article reviews the outcome of 53 prolonged venous access catheters (39 Hickmans and 14 catheters attached to implantable ports) inserted percutaneously via the external iliac vein into 37 patients over a period of 5.7 years. The indications for insertion were chemotherapy (40%), total parenteral nutrition (36%), intravenous antibiotics (13%), poor venous access (7%) and bone marrow transplantation (4%). The main reasons for use of the external iliac vein were thrombosis of the subclavian veins or superior vena cava and subclavian central line sepsis. The only complication of insertion was one inadvertent puncture of the external iliac artery. Twenty-seven catheters (51%) remained complication free and functioning for the time for which they were required. Four catheters (7%) are still functioning in situ having been present for 1–5 years. Sixteen catheters (30%) became infected, with a 17% incidence of septicaemia. Venous thrombosis was associated with three catheters (6%). Catheters remained in situ for a median period of 30 days (range 5–569 days). The authors conclude that long-term venous access using percutaneous external iliac vein insertion is a useful technique when other routes are unavailable, but there is a relatively high incidence of catheter-related sepsis.     

Chlorhexidine versus Povidone Iodine in Preventing Colonization of Continuous Epidural Catheters in Children: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background: Chlorhexidine is better than povidone iodine for skin preparation before intravascular device insertion or blood culture collection, but it is not known whether chlorhexidine is superior in reducing colonization of continuous epidural catheters.

Methods: Children requiring an epidural catheter for postoperative analgesia longer than 24 h were randomly assigned to receive skin preparation with an alcoholic solution of 0.5% chlorhexidine or an aqueous solution of 10% povidone iodine before catheter insertion. Using surgical aseptic techniques, catheters were inserted into either the lumbar or the thoracic epidural space based on the preferences of the anesthesia team, on clinical indication, or both. Immediately before epidural catheter removal, their insertion site and hub were qualitatively cultures. After their removal, the catheter tips were quantitatively cultured. Catheters were classified as colonized when their tips yielded 1,000 or more colony-forming units/ml in cultures.

Results: Of 100 randomly assigned patients, 96 were evaluable. The clinical characteristics of the patients and the risk factors for infection were similar in the two groups. Catheters were kept in place for a median (range) duration of 50 (range, 21-100) h. Catheters inserted after skin preparation with chlorhexidine were one sixth as likely and less quickly to be colonized as catheters inserted after skin preparation with povidone iodine (1 of 52 catheters [0.9 per 100 catheter days]vs. 5 of 44 catheters [5.6 per 100 catheter days]; relative risk, 0.2 [95% confidence interval, 0.1-1.0];P = 0.02). Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the only colonizing microorganisms recovered, and the skin surrounding the catheter insertion site was the origin of all the colonizing microorganisms.     

Median nerve bisection: a morbid complication of a peripherally inserted central catheter

Considering the reported safety, efficiency, and low cost of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), they are increasingly preferred to central venous catheters for short-term delivery of medical therapies. Here, we report a case of severe median nerve bisection during PICC placement via a brachial vein. While such nerve damage is uncommon, the case indicates that when the brachial vein is selected as an access site over the basilic and cephalic veins, caution should be exercised during PICC placement since the brachial vein traverses in close proximity to the median nerve.     

Percutaneous infraclavicular insertion of long-term central venous Hickman catheters

Percutaneous infraclavicular subclavian vein insertions of single lumen Hickman right atrial catheters (n = 342) were performed on 308 patients at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. The indications for insertion were administration of total parenteral nutrition (44.8%), intravenous chemotherapy (40.9%), intravenous therapy in patients with inaccessible peripheral veins (11.7%), and intravenous antibiotic administration (2.6%). Three percutaneous catheter insertions were complicated by pneumothorax (0.88%). There were no other complications of insertion. Catheters remained in situ for a median period of 30 days (range: 2-853 days). The majority of catheters (69.6%) remained functioning and complication-free until the completion of therapy or until the patient died of their original disease. Some catheters became infected (9.9%) and there was a 0.6% incidence of septicaemia due to infected catheters; 8.5% of catheters were removed because of a suspicion of infection that was not subsequently proven. The incidence of infection was highest within the first month after catheter insertion, and decreased thereafter. Percutaneous subclavian insertion of Hickman right atrial catheters appears to be the insertion method of choice in patients requiring long-term central venous access.     

26例PICC导管异位的原因及对策

目的探讨PICC导管异位的原因与对策。方法分析475例PICC置管患者的置管途径,并对其中26例PICC患者异位复位方法进行探讨。结果 PICC异位与患者的体位、上肢静脉的选择、血管解剖变异、外测量方法及置管者手法等因素有关。结论 PICC置管应尽量选择右上肢的贵要静脉;大部分PICC导管异位可以复位。     

Introduction of central venous pressure catheters through arm veins with a high success rate.

Studies were carried out to develop a more successful method of inserting central venous catheters through arm veins without using electrocardiographic or fluoroscopic monitoring. It was found that a running infusion attached to a Sorensen catheter gave a success rate of 48 per cent. The highest success rates (98 per cent) occurred when the basilic vein was used, with the patient positioned so that the upper part of the body was raised at 45-90 degrees to the horizontal and using a Bardic 16 gauge catheter with a special insertion technique, which is described. This represents a great improvement over the usual success rate of 70 to 80 per cent.     

Triple knotting of a central venous catheter

A case of unusual triple knotting of a central venous catheter inserted through the left basilic vein is reported. The catheter with intact triple knots could be withdrawn without an invasive maneuver. A possible cause of triple knotting was discussed in regard to the anatomic configuration of the central veins. This case emphasizes that a central venous catheter should not be advanced if resistance is encountered.