Comparison between replacement at 4 days and 7 days of the infection rate for pulmonary artery catheters in an intensive care unit*

Abstract

No statistically significant difference was found for pulmonary artery catheter-associated infection when intervals of 4 or 7 days between insertion and replacement were compared. Patients with prolonged pulmonary artery catheterization must be carefully examined for signs or symptoms of infection. The time until pulmonary artery catheter replacement can be extended to 7 days if there is no evidence of catheter-related infection.

Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter–Related Infections

“…Efforts must be made to differentiate between infection related to the introducer and that related to the pulmonary artery catheter. Significant colonization of the introducer occurs earlier than that of the pulmonary artery catheter [337,339]. However, no studies indicate that catheter replacement at scheduled time intervals is an effective method to reduce risk of CRBSI [165,327,339].…”

Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections

“…Efforts must be made to differentiate between infection related to the introducer and that related to the pulmonary artery catheter. Significant colonization of the introducer occurs earlier than that of the pulmonary artery catheter [337,339]. However, no studies indicate that catheter replacement at scheduled time intervals is an effective method to reduce risk of CRBSI [165,327,339].…”

“…Significant colonization of the introducer occurs earlier than that of the pulmonary artery catheter [337,339]. However, no studies indicate that catheter replacement at scheduled time intervals is an effective method to reduce risk of CRBSI [165,327,339]. In patients who continue to require hemodynamic monitoring, pulmonary artery catheters do not need to be changed more frequently than every 7 days [339].…”

“…However, no studies indicate that catheter replacement at scheduled time intervals is an effective method to reduce risk of CRBSI [165,327,339]. In patients who continue to require hemodynamic monitoring, pulmonary artery catheters do not need to be changed more frequently than every 7 days [339]. No specific recommendation can be made regarding routine replacement of catheters that need to be in place for .7 days.…”

Improving the Accuracy of Impedance Cardiac Output in the Intensive Care Unit: Comparison With Thermodilution Cardiac Output

“…This requires considerable skill and puts the patient at risk of potentially life-threatening side effects, including hemorrhage, 27 thrombosis, 28 and infection. 29 There is, therefore, a significant risk of morbidity and mortality from the use of the PAC itself.…”