RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine coated central venous catheters (CSS-CVC) may cause loss of antimicrobial efficacy due to friction between the CVC surface and sheer stress caused by the blood flow. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial efficacy of CSS-CVC at various flow rates using a bloodstream model. METHODS: Each CVC was subjected to various flow rates (0.5, 1, 2, and 4âL/min) and wear-out times (0, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120âhours), and the optical density (OD) 600 after a Staphylococcus aureus incubation test was used to determine the antibacterial effect of CSS-CVC. RESULTS: In the 0.5âL/min group, there was no significant change in the OD600 value up to 120âhours compared with the baseline OD600 value for CSS-CVC (Pâ>â.467). However, the OD600 values of CSS-CVC in the 1âL/min (Pâ<â.001) and 2âL/min (Pâ<â.001) groups were significantly reduced up to 72âhours, while that in the 4âL/min (pâ<â0.001) group decreased rapidly up to 48âhours. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that there is a doubt whether sufficient antibacterial function can be maintained with prolonged duration of catheter placement.