[Indications and complications of central venous catheters in oncohematology: a report of 81 cases]

ABSTRACT

From February 1998 to July 1999, 81 central venous catheters were placed in 41 patients 28 years old [5 to 51 years]. We used the subclavicular anatomic way [Aubaniac] in all cases. The total duration of catheter placement was 2905 days [median of 31 days, range 1 to 165 days]. We observed 1 pneumothorax [1,2%], 3 venous thrombosis [3,7%] and 1 arterial puncture [1,2%]. Catheter-related infections were seen in 8 catheters [2,7 per 1000 catheter-days]. Candida was encountered in 4 cases [50%], Gram-positive cocci in 2 cases [25%], and Gram-negative bacilli in 2 cases [25%]. The improvment of preventive ways, diagnosis techniques [simultaneous quantitative cultures, differential positivity time], and therapeutic methods [treatment without removal of the catheter, antibiotic lock technique, catheter exchange by guidewire] should allow a better treatment of catheter-related infections