Selection of the proper venous access device is important to maximize patient benefit and minimize patient discomfort, morbidity, mortality, and cost. The decision of which device to use is based on whether or not the patient requires central venous access and whether the need is short-term (<6 to 8 weeks) or long-term. Short-term venous access devices include short peripheral IV catheters, mid...

OBJECTIVE Central venous catheters are the predominant cause of nosocomial bacteremia; however, the effectiveness of different antimicrobial central venous catheters remains uncertain. We compared the infection rate of silver-platinum-carbon (SPC)-impregnated catheters with rifampicin-minocycline (RM)-coated catheters. DESIGN A large, single-center, prospective randomized study. SETTING Twe...

AIMS AND BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of venous thrombosis in cancer patients with central venous catheters inserted perioperatively. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN A prospective analysis was performed with 68 patients in whom central venous catheters were placed perioperatively. Cancer patients with planned central venous catheters had prophylaxis with low-molecul...

incidences in the landmark group of carotid artery puncture (10.6%), hemothorax (1.7%), and pneumothorax (2.4%) greater than most anesthesiologists would accept. Thus it is not surprising that meta-analysis of these disparate studies (which have not been scored by traditional methods to assess for bias and scientific rigor) would find statistical significance only in success of line insertion. ...

Traditionally, tunnelled central venous catheter insertions have been performed by surgeons. However, there is an increasing trend towards central catheters being placed by interventional radiologists under image guidance. The many advantages of inserting central catheters via the jugular approach under image guidance include reusable venous access, generally less waiting time compared with sur...