Catheter related infections and colonizations of single / multiple lumen central venous catheters in critically ill patients

The aim of this study is to evaluate the central venous catheter infections or colonizations in our "Reanimation Unit" and the effects of lumen number or existence of parenteral nutrition (PEN) on the incidence. During a period of two years (1994-1995), 789 microbiologic samples from 263 central venous catheters placed to critically ill patients of various etiologies in our "Reanimation Unit" were examined. The microbiologic results of 3 samples including the 5 cm of the catheter tip, catheter skin exit site swab and peripheral blood culture at the same time were altogether taken into account for each catheter. A catheter was removed if an infection related to it was suspicious, or an infection without any evident source existed, if the catheter was occluded or it was not required anymore. The data evaluated consisted of microbiologic results and the patients' APACHE II scores, the SIRS criteria at the removal day, duration of catheterization, the number of lumens catheter had and whether parenteral nutrition was given via the catheter. The statistical analyses were performed by using Student's t test and the Chi square test. The catheter infection rate was 37/ 263 (14.1%) and the catheter colonization rate was 58/ 263 (22.1%). This study shows us that multi-lumen central venous catheters or PEN via central catheters do not cause catheter colonization or infection when compared with single lumen catheters without PEN respectively. Catheter colonizations are mostly seen in SIRS patients whereas catheter infections might not be primary cause of sepsis in the critically ill