Document 1014
 DOCN  M94A1014
 TI    Central venous catheters in intravenous drug users.
 DT    9412
 AU    Minola E; Arici C; Finazzi MG; Gavazzeni G; Minelli L; Quinzan GP; Rizzi
       M; Div. of Inf. Dis., Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo, Italia.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):229 (abstract no. PB0931). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371561
 AB    OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the incidence of complications when using
       permanent central venous catheters in a population of persons with AIDS
       including a majority of intravenous drug users. METHODS: a retrospective
       evaluation of patients with AIDS who had a Groshong catheter implanted
       from 1/2/1992 to 9/2/1994. Selection of patients, training of patients
       and carers, follow-up, took place at the Infectious Diseases Division;
       all the cathters were inserted at the Division of Pediatric Surgery.
       Drug abuse was not regarded as a contraindication to catheter placement.
       RESULTS: out of 28 evaluable patients, 13 had a history of previous
       intra-venous drug abuse, and 3 were active injectors. 29 catheters were
       implanted (including one replacement), with no major complications
       during insertion (pneumothorax, hemothorax, exposure to HIV of the
       surgical staff); central catheters were required for treatment of
       Cytomegalovirus retinitis (23), nutritional support (2), chemoteraphy of
       lymphoma (1), other indications (2). During cumulative 4,405 days of
       catheter in situ permanence, 9 infectious episodes were observed (0.20
       per 100 days: 3 local infections and 6 bacteriemic events), which
       required removal of the catheter in one patient (who later underwent
       replacement). CONCLUSIONS: permanent central venous catheters seem to be
       safe and long-living devices, also in persons with AIDS and prone to
       intra-venous drug abuse.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS  Catheterization,
       Central Venous/*ADVERSE EFFECTS  Human  Infection/ETIOLOGY
       Retrospective Studies  Substance Abuse, Intravenous/*COMPLICATIONS
       MEETING ABSTRACT

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