Subcutaneously anchored securement for peripherally inserted central catheters: Immediate, early, and late complications.

BACKGROUND: An adequate stabilization of a vascular device is an important part of insertion bundles and is an effective strategy in reducing complications. Dislodgment has a relevant clinical impact and an increase in healthcare costs. METHOD: We have retrospectively investigated the safety and efficacy of Subcutaneously Anchored Securement (SAS) for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICC) in cancer patients. RESULTS: We analyzed 639 patients who had a PICC inserted and secured with SAS, over the past 3 years (2018-2020). No immediate complications during SAS placement were reported. In the first 24-48 h, a slight local ecchymosis was reported in 24 cases with rapid spontaneous resolution. No cases of bleeding or hematoma of the exit site were reported. The total number of catheter days was 93078. Dislodgment occurred only in seven cases (1.1%). In 16 patients, the PICC was removed because of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI): the overall incidence of CRBSI was 0.17 per 1000 catheter days. Symptomatic venous thrombosis was documented in 12 patients (1.9%) and treated with low molecular weight heparin without PICC removal. We had no cases of irreversible lumen occlusion. In 17 patients, local discomfort-including device-related pressure ulcers and painful inflammation-was reported: these cases were treated without SAS removal or PICC removal. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective analysis, subcutaneously anchored securement of PICCs was a safe and effective strategy for reducing the risk of dislodgment.

Taurolidine lock in the treatment of colonization and infection of totally implanted venous access devices in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Taurolidine lock is known to be effective in preventing catheter-related infections in a variety of venous access devices, including long term venous access devices for chemotherapy. Though, literature about the use of taurolidine for treating catheter colonization or catheter-related blood stream infection is scarce. METHOD: We have retrospectively reviewed the safety and efficacy of 2% taurolidine lock for treatment of catheter-colonization and of catheter-related bloodstream infection in cancer patients with totally implanted venous access devices. Diagnosis of colonization or catheter-related infection was based on paired peripheral and central blood cultures, according to the method of Delayed Time to Positivity. RESULTS: We recorded 24 cases of catheter-related infection and two cases of colonization. Taurolidine lock-associated with systemic antibiotic therapy-was successful in treating all cases of catheter-related infection, with disappearance of clinical symptoms, normalization of laboratory values, and eventually negative blood cultures. Taurolidine lock was also safe and effective in treating device colonization. No adverse effect was reported. CONCLUSION: In our retrospective analysis, 2% taurolidine lock was completely safe and highly effective in the treatment of both catheter-colonization and catheter-related bloodstream infection in cancer patients with totally implanted venous access devices.