Prophylaxis against microbial colonization of venous catheters.

A total of 85 central venous catheterizations in 73 patients were subjected to a prospective study on prophylaxis against infectious complications. Bacterial growth was found in blood cultures in five cases (6 per cent) and in cultures from catheter tips in 23 cases (27 per cent). The most important route of infections was shown to be the catheter connection. Flaming of the connection when changing the giving set did not reduce the risk of catheter tip colonization. Catheter-related thrombosis was found in 33 of 73 phlebographs (45 per cent). There was a significant relationship (p less than 0.05) between thrombotic findings and positive catheter tip cultures. Reduction of the risk of thrombosis by anticoagulant therapy would therefore seem indicated as prophylaxis against bacterial complications.