OBJECTIVES Vascular and epidural catheter-related infections cause significant morbidities and mortality in hospitalized patients. This meta-analysis assessed the effect of chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing on the risk of vascular and epidural catheter bacterial colonization and infection. METHODS Literature search was based on MEDLINE (1966 to 1 November 2005), EMBASE and Cochrane Controlle...

BACKGROUND Determination of the intravascular volume status of a critically ill surgical patient is paramount for appropriate fluid and cardiovascular management. Many clinical parameters have been utilized to estimate intravascular volume but none are precise indicators of circulating blood volume. The purpose of this observational pilot study was to compare measured blood volume with hemodyna...

Tomographic imaging techniques such as ultrasound can provide important information in the evaluation of vascular anatomy. Recent technical advances have permitted fabrication of a small (1.83 mm), phased-array, intravascular ultrasonic imaging catheter capable of continuous real-time, cross-sectional imaging of blood vessels. We used this imaging catheter to compare intraluminal ultrasound wit...

A successful retrieval of a detached segment of a CVP catheter by percutaneous right transfemoral venous route, using a Dotter intravascular retriever basket, is reported. The procedure was monitored under fluoroscopy. Only local anaesthesia, which was infiltrated around the puncture site, was given to the patient. No significant complication was encountered. Successful retrieval of the detache...

BACKGROUND Needleless intravascular catheter connector valves have been introduced into clinical practice to minimize the risk of needlestick injury. However, infection-control risks associated with these valves may be underappreciated. In March 2005, a dramatic increase in bloodstream infections was noted in multiple patient care units of a hospital in temporal association with the introductio...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to assess the sequential follow-up results of catheter intervention in Kawasaki disease by use of quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and intravascular ultrasound imaging. METHODS AND RESULTS Catheter intervention was performed on 23 stenotic lesions in 22 patients (aged 2 to 24 years). Percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PBA) was performed in 4 pati...

Purpose: Pulmonary vein isolation by means of catheter ablation is a new therapeutic modality for patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Due to the complex anatomy preprocedual imaging of left atrium and pulmonary veins is helpful for planning catheter intervention. With the advent of electrocardiogram-gated and respiratory-gated 3D steady state free precession (SSFP) sequences covering...

INTRODUCTION The incidence of intravascular embolization of venous catheters reported in the world medical literature corresponds to 1% of all the described complications. However, its mortality rate may vary between 24 to 60%. Catheter malfunction is the most likely signal of embolization, since patients are usually asymptomatic. OBJECTIVE To report the method of removing intravascular forei...

With use of an open 1.5-T magnetic resonance (MR) imager and a tracking catheter, the authors successfully placed the catheter into the left or right sacral artery in pigs. The tracking catheter comprised a 5.3-F percutaneous transluminal angioplasty catheter with a small copper radio-frequency coil in its tip. With use of the coil as an antenna, the catheter tip position was projected in real ...