Catheter-related and infusion-related sepsis

This article focuses on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and management of infectious complications of intravascular cannulation and fluid infusion. Although continuous vascular access is one of the most essential modalities in modern-day medicine, there is a substantial and underappreciated potential for producing iatrogenic complications, the most important of which is blood-borne infection. Clinicians often fail to consider the diagnosis of infusion-related sepsis because clinical signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from bloodstream infections arising from other sites. Understanding and consideration of the risk factors predisposing patients to infusion-related infections may guide the development and implementation of control measures for prevention.