A double lumen right atrial catheter was placed in 57 allogeneic marrow transplant recipients, and its use was compared to a concurrent series of 63 patients receiving the large-bore single lumen catheter. Ten double lumen catheter recipients developed septicemia, while neutropenic with granulocyte counts less than 100 per cubic centimeter, and three had their catheters removed for persistent septicemia. Seventeen single lumen catheter recipients developed septicemia while granulocytopenic, and one had the catheter removed for persistent septicemia. Hyperalimentation was more effectively delivered with the double lumen catheter which provides a route for infusion of hyperalimentation solutions at a constant rate during infusions of blood products, antibiotics, and other fluids.

Anemia, Aplastic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hickman catheter complications in marrow transplant recipients.

The complications associated with the insertion and use of 95 single lumen and 312 double lumen Hickman right atrial catheters in 357 marrow transplant recipients were retrospectively analyzed. Three-hundred (84%) first inserted catheters were in place for a median of 93 days (range, 16-209) without complications and were removed electively. Thirty-nine (9.6%) of all catheters were removed for infections and 24 (5.9%) for mechanical complications. Ninety-five patients (26.6%) had 111 episodes of septicemia involving 128 separate organisms and 25 patients had 25 episodes of localized catheter infection with 26 separate organisms. The most frequently isolated organism was coagulase-negative staphylococcus. Twelve of 24 removals due to mechanical complications were caused by accidental pulling of the catheter by the patient.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Fate of right atrial catheters inserted prior to arrival at a transplant center.

An analysis of catheter-related complications in a study group consisting of 83 patients, each of whom arrived at a major marrow transplant center after having had a large bore right atrial catheter (RAC) inserted by the referring institution, was compared to a similar analysis of catheter-related complications in 357 patients who had their RAC inserted at the transplant center just before the transplant procedure was begun (control group). Fourteen (17%) patients in the study group had their original catheter removed for complications (five for septicemia and nine for mechanical complications) compared to 57 (16%) of the patients in the control group. Thirteen (16%) of the 83 catheters in the study group were double lumen and only two of these (15%) were replaced due to complications. Sixteen of 59 patients (27%), 13 years old or older, who arrived with a single lumen RAC already inserted, required an additional catheter during the transplant procedure because of an increased need for intravenous access. From this study, we concluded that patients who arrived for marrow transplantation with a RAC already inserted did not routinely need the catheter replaced. However, it is recommended that double lumen catheters be inserted in adult patients if marrow transplantation is anticipated.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A prospective study of complications in Hickman right-atrial catheters in marrow transplant patients.

One hundred forty-three large bore right-atrial catheters (RACs) in 111 bone marrow transplant recipients were prospectively analyzed for the incidence of complications interfering with catheter function. Of the 143 RACs, 108 (76%) were patent on departure from Seattle or death. Infectious complications occurred in 63 (44%) of the catheters, resulting in 18 (13%) removals. Noninfectious complications occurred with 54 (38%) of the catheters, resulting in 17 (12%) removals. Successful interventions included catheter repair, dissolving precipitates with ammonium chloride solution, and declotting catheter lumens with heparin and/or urokinase. We conclude that RACs continue to be reliable and safe devices to use in marrow transplant patients. Complications interfering with catheter function are frequent; however, most can be resolved without the need to remove the catheter.

Adolescent↗