Abstract: Objective To retrospectively investigate the prevalence and risk factors of central venous catheter related infections (CVC-RI) in hemodialysis patients with venous indwelling catheters. Methods A total of 132 hemodialysis patients with short-term indwelling catheters and treated in East Hospital of Tongji University
in the period from January, 2010 to June, 2013 were enrolled in this study. Their clinical data and the prevalence and risk factors of CVC-RI were analyzed. Results In the 132 hemodialysis patients, the catheters were located in femoral vein in 41 cases and in internal jugular vein in 91 cases, with a total of 149 venous catheterizations. The median duration of indwelling catheterization was 27 days (8-51 days). CVC-RI was found in 31 cases with the prevalence of 23.5%. In the 31 case, CVC-RI occurred in the first 14 days after catheterization in 4 cases (12.9%), within 15th-2lst days in 9 cases (29%), within 22nd-28th days in 13 cases (41.9%), and after 28 days in 5 cases (16.1%). Therefore, the prevalence of CVC-RI was significantly variable in different duration after catheterization (P＜0.05). The prevalence of CVC-RI was similar in patients with jugular vein catheterization and in those with femoral vein catheterization (41.9% and 58.1%, respectively; P＞0.05). Gram-positive bacteria were detected in 17 cases, and Gram-negative bacteria in 14 cases (54.8% and 45.2%, respectively; P＞0.05). The prevalence of CVC-RI correlated significantly to indwelling duration, age, infections in other sites, puncture manipulation, use of immunosuppressive agents, and diabetes (P＜ 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of CVC-RI correlated closely to indwelling duration, age, infection in other sites, puncture manipulation, use of immunosuppressive agents, and diabetes. The prevalence of CVC-RI became higher in patients with indwelling catheters for more than two weeks. The prevalence of CVC-RI was similar in patients with jugular vein catheters and in those with femoral vein catheters. The numbers of CVCRI patients due to Gram-positive bacteria and those due to Gram-negative bacteria were approximately equal.

Key words: Central venous catheters, Infection, Hemodialysis