[Nosocomial infections caused by intravascular catheters]

In intensive care units nosocomial infections associated with intravascular catheters are an important cause of morbidity. Infection is essentially due to the implantation of cutaneous pathogens and to the contamination of infusion line components by manipulations. The risk of infection therefore mainly depends on the way the catheter is handled and on the duration of catheterization. The diagnosis of infection rests on clinical observation of the patient and on a semi-quantitative study of the catheter. Preventing such infections requires strict asepsis of the skin when the catheters is introduced and while it is maintained in situ and changes of infusions lines and of the catheter itself. These changes must be particularly frequent when the catheter is manipulated and when the patient is already infected prior to catheterization.