Long-term right atrial catheters in patients with malignancies: an Indian experience

Ninety-eight single lumen and two double lumen silicone right atrial Hickman/Broviac catheters inserted in 91 patients with various malignancies over a period of 36 months were prospectively studied. The average duration of use for all Hickman/Broviac catheters was 7,460 days with an average of 74.6 days. A total of 41 episodes of catheter-related infections were documented in all patients (0.5 per 100 access days). Catheter related bacteremia was the most frequent type of infection (31 out of 41, 75%). Majority of the bacteremias could be controlled with routine antimicrobial therapy. Exit site infections were seen in 5 Hickman/Broviac catheters. Two catheters had to be removed because of catheter tunnel infections. Gram negative bacteremic infections were the most common, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the major pathogen. Silicone rubber Hickman/Broviac catheters proved to be convenient, reliable, and easily manageable devices in our experience.