[Infections caused by central venous catheterization at intensive care units]

All different types of catheters can induce localized (subcutaneous) or systemic sepsis. Infection rates of 7 to 20% have been reported in the literature; catheter infection results from bacterial colonization of the skin, colonization of the line or may be secondary to blood born seeding. In a one year prospective study of 56 catheters in our unit, the rate of systemic infection was 5.3%, insertion site infection 3.6%, and contamination without infection 25%. No catheter with less than 10(2) colonies on a semi-quantitative culture method was infected. Prevention of catheter related sepsis needs strict aseptic protocols, and short duration of catheterization, antiseptic wrapping of the line; antimicrobial filtersets may further reduce the infection risk.