Leaving previously implanted central venous catheters (ports) in place does not increase morbidity in patients

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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit
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A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit

Published on: July 13, 2019

M H Miceli1, L Dong, P Coria

  • 1Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. MiceliMarisaH@uams.edu

Bone Marrow Transplantation
|May 24, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Leaving implantable catheters (IC) in place during autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation (APSCT) did not increase patient morbidity. This study found no significant rise in fever, infection, or mortality, suggesting ICs can remain safely.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Implantable catheters (IC) are frequently used in patients undergoing autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation (APSCT).
  • Concerns exist regarding potential increased morbidity associated with leaving pre-inserted, non-colonized, or infected ICs in place during APSCT.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate whether leaving a pre-inserted implantable catheter (IC) in place during autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation (APSCT) is associated with increased patient morbidity.
  • To compare outcomes between patients undergoing APSCT with an IC in place versus those without an IC.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records for patients undergoing APSCT between March 1997 and January 2002.
  • Matched case-control study comparing 43 patients with an IC in place (case group) to 43 patients without an IC (control group).
  • Outcomes assessed included fever, bloodstream infection, vancomycin/amphotericin B use, death, length of stay, and readmissions.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were observed in rates of fever, bloodstream infection, death, length of stay, or readmissions between the IC and no-IC groups.
  • The use of an IC was associated with increased utilization of antibacterial and antifungal agents.
  • 20 out of 43 patients in the case group had an IC in place.

Conclusions:

  • Leaving a previously inserted, non-colonized or infected implantable catheter (IC) in place does not significantly increase morbidity in patients undergoing autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation (APSCT).
  • While IC use did not elevate major adverse events, it was linked to higher antimicrobial usage.

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