Infection of central venous catheters

Abstract

Insertion and care of central venous catheters is a surgical procedure. Since the lowest percentage of positive findings were in those catheters put in the basilic vein, one must conclude that the further away the insertion is from the central vein, the better is the result as any infection will cause phlebitis rather than septicaemia. Perfect fixation of central venous catheter is necessary to prevent its migration and trauma causing phlebitis. If the patient suffers a rise of body temperature without any obvious reason, blood cultures must be carried out and a new catheter inserted in a different site. There must be very strict indications for cannulation of large central veins.