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Objectives: Arterial catheters (ACs) are critical for haemodynamic monitoring and blood sampling but are prone to complications. We investigated the incidence and risk factors of AC failure. Methods: Secondary analysis of a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (ACTRN 12610000505000). Analysis included a subset of adult intensive care unit patients with an AC. The primary outcome was all-cause device failure. Secondary outcomes were catheter associated bloodstream infection (CABSI), suspected CABSI, occlusion, thrombosis, accidental removal, pain, and line fracture. Risk factors associated with AC failure were investigated using Cox proportional hazards and competing-risk models. Results: Of 664 patients, 173 (26%) experienced AC failure (incidence rate [IR] 37/1000 catheter days). Suspected CABSI was the most common failure type (11%; IR 15.3/1000 catheter days), followed by occlusion (8%; IR 11.9/1,000 catheter days), and accidental removal (4%; IR 5.5/1000 catheter days). CABSI occurred in 16 (2%) patients. All-cause failure and occlusion were reduced with ultrasound-assisted insertion (failure: adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.43, 95% CI 0.25, 0.76; occlusion: sub-HR 0.11, 95% CI 0.03, 0.43). Increased age was associated with less AC failure (60–74 years HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.89; 75 + years HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.20, 0.64; referent 15–59 years). Females experienced more occlusion (adjusted sub-HR 2.53, 95% CI 1.49, 4.29), while patients with diabetes had less (SHR 0.15, 95% CI 0.04, 0.63). Suspected CABSI was associated with an abnormal insertion site appearance (SHR 2.71, 95% CI 1.48, 4.99). Conclusions: AC failure is common with ultrasound-guided insertion associated with lower failure rates. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN 12610000505000); date registered: 18 June 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Central catheters expose ICU patients at risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections. A mechanism by which these infections occur is the contamination of the catheter during its insertion if aseptic techniques are not strictly applied. Recent studies suggest that the use of ultrasound guidance (USG) may increase the risk of catheter contamination during insertion. We assessed current practices regarding the use of USG during catheter insertion, with a focus on identifying breaches of the surgical asepsis required for this invasive procedure. Methods: In 26 intensive care units, we evaluated the use of USG during catheter insertion, using a questionnaire addressed to intensivists and direct observation of their practices. Results: We analyzed 111 questionnaires and 36 observations of intensivists placing catheters. The questionnaires revealed that 88% of intensivists used USG for catheter insertion. Among those using USG, 56% had received specific training, 17% benefited from specific recommendations, 76% marked the insertion site before skin antisepsis, and during catheter insertion, 96% used sterile gel and 100% used a sterile sheath and sterile gloves. We identified potential deviations from strict aseptic technique, including contact between the sheath and the needle (19.4%), handling of the US system during catheter insertion (2.8%), and use of sterile devices, where they were not yet necessary (during the marking site or skin antisepsis), resulting in their contamination at the time of catheter insertion. Conclusions: Interventions aimed at ensuring compliance with measures to prevent CRBs should be organized to prevent an increase in infections associated with US-guided catheter insertion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An infected aortic aneurysm is a rare and life-threatening vascular condition with a high incidence of arterial rupture and recurrence even after treatment. One of the most common causes of an infected aortic aneurysm is catheter-related bloodstream infection. Although infection due to indwelling catheters is possible, the incidence of this is rare, especially for long-term implanted arterial catheters.Case Presentation: A 78-year-old Japanese man with a past medical history of rectal cancer with metastasis to the liver presented to our hospital as a result of low back pain. Remission had been achieved following surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy via an implanted catheter for arterial infusion. However, the original catheter that was inserted from the femoral artery to the hepatic artery via the celiac artery was still present more than 10 years after diagnosis, without being replaced, in case of a recurrence. On the day of admission, computed tomography scan of the chest and abdomen with contrast revealed an irregularly shaped aortic aneurysm at the origin of the celiac artery and a partially expanded common hepatic artery with disproportionate fat stranding along the implanted arterial catheter without extravasation. Although the initial impression was an impending rupture of the acute thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, a catheter-related infection was considered as a differential diagnosis. Surgery was performed, which revealed a catheter-related infected aortic aneurysm based on images along the catheter, pus cultures, and tissue pathology examination results.Conclusions: This is an extremely rare case of an infectious aneurysm caused by prolonged implantation of an arterial catheter for chemotherapy. It should be noted that an indwelling arterial catheter not only causes bloodstream infections but can also cause an infection of a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]