[Complications due to peripheral venous catheterization. Prospective study]. / Complications liées au cathétérisme veineux périphérique. Etude prospective.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Peripheral venous catheter (PVC)-associated complications were prospectively evaluated in a 2 month-study performed in 3 different wards. METHODS: For each inserted PVC, the following complications were observed daily by an external investigator tenderness, erythema, swelling or induration, palpable cord and purulence. PVC that were removed were systematically sent to the Microbiology department and analysed according to the semi-quantitative method described by Brun-Buisson et al. RESULTS: A total of 525 PVC (corresponding to 1,036 catheterisation-days) were included. Main clinical complications were erythema (22.1%), tenderness (21.9%), swelling or induration (20.9%), palpable cord (2.7%) and purulence (0.2%). Phlebitis, defined by 2 or more of the following signs tenderness, erythema, swelling or induration and palpable cord, was observed in 22%. Catheter colonization (> or = 103 CFU/ml) occurred in 13%. Bacteria isolated from colonized catheters were coagulase-negative staphylococci (88.1%), Staphylococcus aureus (7.1%) and Candida sp. (4.8%). Multivariate risk factor analysis showed that age > or = 55 y. (OR = 3.16, p = 0.003), insertion on articulation site (OR = 2.94, p = 0.01) or in jugular vein (OR = 8.18, p = 0.01) and > 72 hour-catheterisation (OR = 4.74, p = 0.0003) were significantly associated with PVC colonization. Risk factors for phlebitis were skin lesions (OR = 1.88, p < 0.016), active infection unrelated to PVC (OR = 2.8, p = 0.001), "poor quality" peripheral vein (OR = 2.46, p < 0.02) and > 72 hour-catherisation (OR = 2.38, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Complications associated with peripheral venous catheters are frequent but remain benign. They could probably be reduced by a systematic change every 72-96 hours as recommended by different guidelines.