|
|
| Journal of Vascular Access 2003; 4: 102 - 110 |
| Antimicrobially impregnated catheters: An overview of randomized controlled trials |
P. Gastmeier 1, I. Zuschneid 2, C. Geffers 2
1Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover - Germany
2Institute of Hygiene, Charitè - University Medicine in Berlin, Berlin - Germany
ABSTRACT
In order to acquire an overview of the effectiveness of antimicrobially impregnated catheters on the prevention of catheter related bloodstream infections (CRI), we conducted a systematic review concentrating on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The analysis end point was CRI; therefore, studies focussing only on catheter colonization were excluded. We did not consider abstracts for analysis. We identified 24 RCTs investigating the effectiveness of antimicrobially impregnated catheters. In addition, we discovered five meta-analyses and four studies investigating cost effectiveness. For the majority of antimicrobially impregnated catheter types only a few studies were available, and not enough to draw conclusions. Therefore, despite a relatively large number of RCTs available, the routine use of antimicrobially impregnated catheters as a measure for CRI prevention remains controversial, with a need for more high quality studies. (The Journal of Vascular Access 2003; 4: 102-10)
Full Text, Printable Format |
|
