Natl Med J India
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Infection rates in single- and double-lumen central venous catheters in critically ill patients.
Catheter-related sepsis is a well known complication in critically ill patients receiving total parenteral nutrition. Micro-organisms may travel from the skin puncture wound along the external surface of the catheter or from the hub through the lumen of the catheter, to be shed into the circulation causing bacteraemia and sepsis. The incidence of sepsis is said to be about three times greater with multiple-lumen catheters than with single-lumen catheters. ⋯ Double-lumen central venous catheters placed in critically ill patients do not cause more sepsis than single-lumen catheters.