[Clinical application study of midline catheter in vasopressor therapy]

To evaluate the safety and necessity of vasopressor infusion through midline catheter.

A convenient sampling method was used for a controlled study. A total of 88 adult patients who used vasopressors admitted to respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) of Fenyang Hospital in Shanxi Province from June 2022 to June 2023 were enrolled as the research subjects. A total of 44 patients who were infused with vasopressors through peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) from June to December 2022 were enrolled as the PICC group, and 44 patients who were infused with vasopressors through midline catheter from January to June 2023 were enrolled as the midline catheter group. Both groups of patients used the modified Sedinger technique under the guidance of B-ultrasound for puncture and catheter placement. The middle 1/3 site between the cubital fossa and the axilla was selected. The catheters were 5 Fr double lumen. After catheter placement, the patients were followed until catheter removal, death, or 30 days (whichever came first). Based on the Infusion therapy standards of practice revised by American Infusion Nurses Society (INS), and combined with the results of previous preliminary tests, the safety evaluation was conducted on incomplete catheter obstruction, catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI), phlebitis, thrombus within the catheter during extubation, redness of the puncture site (but no infection), and exudation of the puncture site in the two groups of patients.

There were no statistical differences in gender, age, catheter indwelling time, and primary disease between the two groups, indicating that the baseline data of the two groups were balanced and comparable. No CRBSI or phlebitis occurred in both groups during the observation period after catheterization. One patient in both groups had exudation at the puncture site [both were 2.27% (1/44)]. Compared with the PICC group, the incidence of incomplete catheter obstruction, thrombus within the catheter during extubation, redness of the puncture site (but no infection) in the midline catheter group were lowered [incomplete catheter obstruction: 4.55% (2/44) vs. 6.82% (3/44), thrombus within the catheter during extubation: 0% (0/44) vs. 2.27% (1/44), redness of the puncture site (but no infection): 0% (0/44) vs. 4.55% (2/44)], the overall incidence was significantly decreased [6.82% (3/44) vs. 15.91% (7/44), P < 0.01].

Administering vasopressor through a midline catheter can reduce the incidence of catheter-related complications, decrease the rate of central venous catheterization, and reduce the financial burden on patients.