The Evolving Technology of Venous Access

Abstract

In this issue of the Journal, Darouiche and colleagues present data comparing two second-generation central venous catheters.10 The authors report reduced rates of bacteremia among patients treated with polyurethane catheters impregnated with minocycline and rifampin, as compared with catheters impregnated with chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine (1 bloodstream infection [0.3 percent] vs. 13 [3.4 percent]). [.]if subsequent studies comparing the two types of catheter had similar results, over 90 percent of catheter-related bloodstream infections could be prevented by the use of catheters impregnated with minocycline and rifampin rather than with chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine.