Incidence of infection related to arterial catheterization in XXXX : a prospective study.

@entity1 @entity32 @entity295 @entity281 @entity221
The incidence of infection related to arterial catheterization has not been studied in critically ill @entity1 , using systematic catheter cultures. We studied prospectively 68 @entity1 in whom 70 arterial catheters were inserted. After the aseptic catheterization procedure, no component of the system was changed. The insertion site was inspected daily for signs of @entity32 . Upon removal, catheters were cultured using a semiquantitative method. Blood and infusion fluid specimens were also cultured if @entity295 was clinically suspected. Mean duration of catheterization was 59 +/- 6 (SE) h. In our series, all catheter and infusion fluid cultures were negative. Local @entity32 was not predictive of catheter @entity281 and correlated poorly with duration of catheterization (r = 0.2). In our experience, the incidence of infection related to arterial catheterization is low. Routine change of infusion fluid, tubing, dressing and insertion site as well as systematic catheter culture in the absence of @entity221 appears unwarranted.
