[Factors that affect the dwell time of a central venous catheter].

OBJECTIVE To determine the factors that affect the dwell time of a central venous catheter. BACKGROUND The own immunodeficiency in cancer patient and the collateral effects of their treatment increase the probability of infection and reduce the time of use of a catheter. SUBJECTS Incipient cohort of 306 patients with cancer, with an average age of 59 +/- 14.5 years. INTERVENTIONS Time zero like the day of the placement of the catheter was defined. Daily clinical signs of infection by catheter looked for, with taking of simultaneous blood cultures every 7 days. The primary outcome was infection of the catheter and the alternative aim of treatment, obstruction or death of the patient. One compared the dwell time with the infected catheter versus non-infected and its relation with potential risk factors. RESULTS 306 catheters were placed for a total of 4,043 to days/catheter, became infected 25 (8.2%). The global average survival was of 50 days. One was that to greater dwell time, greater it was the infection incidence. In the fit analysis of survival, the presence of remote infection (OR = 4.71, IC 95% = 1.7-10.1, p = 0.002) was the factor that showed a significant association. CONCLUSIONS The time of life utility of a catheter is ample, limited by the presence of remote infection like factor of potential risk of infection by catheter.