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Central line-associated bloodstream infections in patients with COVID-19

Objective:

to investigate the association between central line-associated bloodstream infections and clinical and care variables of intensive care unit patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at a reference public health institution.

Method:

a case-control study.

Results:

the study sample consisted of 70 patients diagnosed with central line-associated bloodstream infections (case group) and 70 non-infected patients (control group). Most patients were male, with mean age of 57.93±13.93 years old and provided with a double lumen catheter. Median time of central line-associated bloodstream infections onset was 11 (8-18) days. Longer time on mechanical ventilation ( P =0.014; OR: 1.79; 95% CI: 0.91-3.51) and prone position ( P =0.017; OR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.22-4.81) were associated with central line-associated bloodstream infections onset.

Conclusion:

longer time on invasive mechanical ventilation and prone position contributed to central line-associated bloodstream infections onset in COVID-19 patients.

Descriptors:
COVID-19; Central Venous Catheterization; Sepsis; Prone Position; Mechanical Ventilation; ICU


Objetivo:

investigar la asociación entre infecciones de la circulación sanguínea relacionadas con catéter venoso central y variables clínicas y asistenciales de pacientes con COVID-19 ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos de una institución pública de salud de referencia.

Método:

un estudio caso-control.

Resultados:

la muestra del estudio estuvo compuesta por 70 pacientes con diagnóstico de infección de la circulación sanguínea relacionada con catéter venoso central (grupo caso) y 70 pacientes no infectados (grupo control). La mayoría de los pacientes eran del sexo masculino, con edad media de 57,93±13,93 años y provistos de catéter de doble luz. El tiempo medio de aparición de las infecciones del torrente sanguíneo asociadas a catéter venoso central fue de 11 (8-18) días. Un mayor tiempo en ventilación mecánica ( P =0,014; RP: 1,79; IC 95%: 0,91-3,51) y en posición de decúbito prono ( P =0,017; RP: 2,41; IC del 95 %: 1,22-4,81) se asociaron con la aparición de infecciones de la circulación sanguínea relacionadas con catéter venoso central.

Conclusión:

un tiempo más prolongado con ventilación mecánica invasiva y posición de decúbito prono contribuyeron a la aparición de infecciones de la circulación sanguínea relacionadas con catéter venoso central en pacientes con COVID-19.

Descriptores:
COVID-19; Cateterismo Venoso Central; Sepsis; Posición Prona; Respiración Artificial; Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos


Objetivo:

investigar a associação entre infecção primária de corrente sanguínea relacionada a cateter venoso central e variáveis clínicas e assistenciais de pacientes com COVID-19 internados na unidade de terapia intensiva de uma instituição pública de saúde de referência.

Método:

estudo caso-controle.

Resultados:

o estudo foi composto por 70 pacientes com diagnóstico de infecção primária de corrente sanguínea relacionada a cateter venoso central (grupo caso) e 70 pacientes sem infecção (grupo controle). Pacientes predominantemente do sexo masculino, média de idade de 57,93±13,93 anos e portadores de cateter de duplo lúmen. A mediana de tempo de ocorrência das infecções primárias de corrente sanguínea relacionadas a cateter venoso central foi de 11 (8-18) dias. Maior tempo em ventilação mecânica ( P =0,014; RP: 1,79; IC 95%: 0,91-3,51) e posição prona ( P =0,017; RP: 2,41; IC 95%: 1,22-4,81) foram associados à ocorrência de infecções primárias de corrente sanguínea relacionadas a cateter venoso central.

Conclusão:

maior tempo em ventilação mecânica invasiva e posição prona contribuíram para a ocorrência de infecções primárias de corrente sanguínea relacionadas a cateter venoso central em pacientes com COVID-19.

Descritores:
COVID-19; Cateterismo Venoso Central; Sepse; Decúbito Ventral; Ventilação Mecânica; UTI


Highlights:

(1) During ICU hospitalization, the central venous catheter (CVC) is essential.

(2) Patients with COVID-19 in the ICU should be observed for infection.

(3) Longer time on invasive mechanical ventilation and prone are related factors.

Introduction

Patients with risk factors for severe COVID-19 such as age over 60 years old, multiple comorbidities and no or delayed vaccinations, may experience hypoxemic respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or septic shock, requiring admission into an intensive care unit (ICU) ( 11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with High Risk for Severe COVID-19: Information for Healthcare Providers [Internet]. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2020 [cited 2023 Sep 7]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-care/underlyingconditions.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nco...
) . The care provided to severe ICU patients consists of managing COVID-19-related morbidities by administering antithrombotics and cytokine inhibitors, and by preventing ICU-related complications, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia and central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) ( 11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with High Risk for Severe COVID-19: Information for Healthcare Providers [Internet]. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2020 [cited 2023 Sep 7]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-care/underlyingconditions.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nco...

2. Ragel EJ, Harris LK, Campbell RA. Acute respiratory distress syndrome: potential of therapeutic interventions effective in treating progression from COVID-19 to treat progression from other illnesses - a systematic review. BMJ Open Respir Res. 2023;10(1):e001525-5. https://doi.org/10.1136%2Fbmjresp-2022-001525
https://doi.org/10.1136%2Fbmjresp-2022-0...
- 33. National Institutes of Health. Final Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Treatment Guidelines [Internet]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health; 2023 [cited 2023 May 29]. Available from: https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/
https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.n...
) .

During ICU hospitalization, central venous catheterization (CVC) is essential for sedoanalgesia, infusion of vasoactive drugs and large volumes, antibiotics, repeated blood collection, and other infusions incompatible with peripheral veins ( 44. Arrichiello A, Angileri SA, Ierardi AM, Di Meglio L, Carrafiello G. Bedside vascular access procedures for COVID-19 patients. J Vasc Access. 2021;22(4):654-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820951000
https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820951000...

5. Pittiruti, M, Pinelli, F, GAVeCeLT Working Group for Vascular Access in COVID-19. Recommendations for the use of vascular access in the COVID-19 patients: an Italian perspective. Crit Care. 2020;24(1):269. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-020-02997-1
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-020-02997...
- 66. Scoppettuolo G, Biasucci DG, Pittiruti M. Vascular access in COVID-19 patients: smart decisions for maximal safety. J Vasc Access. 2020;21(4):408-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820923935
https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820923935...
) . Adult ICU patients, as a priority, usually receive double lumen catheters, inserted in jugular or femoral veins, to allow for infusion therapy ( 33. National Institutes of Health. Final Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Treatment Guidelines [Internet]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health; 2023 [cited 2023 May 29]. Available from: https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/
https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.n...

4. Arrichiello A, Angileri SA, Ierardi AM, Di Meglio L, Carrafiello G. Bedside vascular access procedures for COVID-19 patients. J Vasc Access. 2021;22(4):654-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820951000
https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820951000...

5. Pittiruti, M, Pinelli, F, GAVeCeLT Working Group for Vascular Access in COVID-19. Recommendations for the use of vascular access in the COVID-19 patients: an Italian perspective. Crit Care. 2020;24(1):269. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-020-02997-1
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-020-02997...

6. Scoppettuolo G, Biasucci DG, Pittiruti M. Vascular access in COVID-19 patients: smart decisions for maximal safety. J Vasc Access. 2020;21(4):408-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820923935
https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820923935...
- 77. Vailati D, Montrucchio G, Cerotto V, Capozzoli G, Gori F, Petrini F, et al. Choice and management of vascular access in the context of COVID-19 outbreak in Italy: Recommendations from clinical practice. J Vasc Access. 2022;23(1):18-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820968415
https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820968415...
) .

ICU patients with COVID-19 are at an increased risk of CLABSI onset, due to a high production of oral and tracheal secretions, clinical severity, corticosteroid therapy, invasive procedures performed during treatment, and high workload, which can hinder proper CVC insertion and manipulation practices ( 88. Pittiruti M, Pinelli F, Annetta MG, Bertoglio S, Biasucci DG, Biffi R, et al., editors. Considerations for the use of vascular access devices in patients with COVID-19 (and some practical recommendations) [Internet]. Roma: GAVeCeLT; 2020 Apr [cited 2021 Dec 16]. Available from: https://www.gavecelt.it/nuovo/sites/default/files/uploads/GAVeCeLT%20-%20Considerations%20on%20the%20use%20of%20vascular%20access%20devices%20in%20patients%20with%20COVID-19.pdf
https://www.gavecelt.it/nuovo/sites/defa...
) . Other complications such as catheter displacement, bleeding, thrombosis and obstruction can also occur ( 77. Vailati D, Montrucchio G, Cerotto V, Capozzoli G, Gori F, Petrini F, et al. Choice and management of vascular access in the context of COVID-19 outbreak in Italy: Recommendations from clinical practice. J Vasc Access. 2022;23(1):18-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820968415
https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820968415...
- 88. Pittiruti M, Pinelli F, Annetta MG, Bertoglio S, Biasucci DG, Biffi R, et al., editors. Considerations for the use of vascular access devices in patients with COVID-19 (and some practical recommendations) [Internet]. Roma: GAVeCeLT; 2020 Apr [cited 2021 Dec 16]. Available from: https://www.gavecelt.it/nuovo/sites/default/files/uploads/GAVeCeLT%20-%20Considerations%20on%20the%20use%20of%20vascular%20access%20devices%20in%20patients%20with%20COVID-19.pdf
https://www.gavecelt.it/nuovo/sites/defa...
) .

Despite numerous publications on the COVID-19 infection, research data and clinical results concerning CLABSI are still in development, as well as their association with clinical variables and care processes. Studying CLABSI in ICU patients with COVID-19 is essential to design institutional strategies, improve care, and achieve positive clinical outcomes. Based on this gap in the literature, this study investigated the association between CLABSI and clinical and care variables of ICU patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at a reference public health institution. Its results allow us to identify variables associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes, findings that can lead to changes in care processes and contribute to positive and safer results for patients and healthcare teams.

Method

Study design

Case-control study with retrospective data.

Context

Research was conducted with patients admitted to the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit of the public hospital Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from March 2020 to May 2021.

Sample

Sample size was estimated using the PSS Health tool ( 99. Borges RB, Mancuso ACB, Camey SA, Leotti VB, Hirakata VN, Azambuja GS, et al. Power and Sample Size for Health Researchers: a tool for calculating sample size and statistical power designed for health researchers. Clin Biomed Res. 2021;40(4):247-53. https://doi.org/10.22491/2357-9730.109542
https://doi.org/10.22491/2357-9730.10954...
) , online version, to detect differences in the average time of mechanical ventilation between the case and control groups, with a difference of 4.35 days as relevant to the study. Considering an 80% power, 5% significance level, and standard deviation of 7.27 days, obtained from a pilot study data bank with 20 subjects (10 in the case group and 10 in the control group), the total sample size estimation reached 88 subjects, 44 in each group. Adding 10% for possible losses, the sample size should be at least 98 (49 in each group). Finally, we included 70 patients in each group (n=140), based on a report by the HCPA’s Infection Control Committee.

Eligible participants were adult patients admitted to HCPA’s COVID-19 ICU using a CVC, monitored by electronic medical records available in the institutional software (AGHUse) and of the hospital’s Vascular Access Program (VAP) database, from CVC insertion in the COVID-19 ICU until its removal.

Eligibility criteria

Case Group: Adults (age > 18 years) with a medical diagnosis of COVID-19, admitted to an intensive care unit, using a CVC, monitored by electronic medical records in the AGHUse, with central line-associated bloodstream infection during ICU stay confirmed by blood culture (BC) positive with a pathogen unrelated to other infectious focus or two or more positive BCs by skin contaminants collected at different times associated with clinical symptoms (fever >38°C, chills, hypotension).

Control Group: Adults (age > 18 years) with a medical diagnosis of COVID-19, admitted to an intensive care unit, using a CVC, monitored by electronic medical records in the AGHUse, without positive CLABSI by blood culture during ICU stay.

Data collection

Based on variables available in the HCPA’s AGHUse software and VAP database, we developed an instrument containing demographic and clinical variables, variables related to current hospitalization and CVC-related management variables. Patients were monitored from insertion to removal, with 24 hours added to identify possible catheter-related infections ( 1010. Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (BR). Nota Técnica GVIMS/GGTES/DIR3/ANVISA Nº 03/2023 - Critérios Diagnósticos das infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde (IRAS) de notificação nacional obrigatória para o ano de 2023 [Internet]. Brasília: ANVISA; 2023 [cited 2024 Jan 11]. Available from: https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/centraisdeconteudo/publicacoes/servicosdesaude/notas-tecnicas/2020/nota-tecnica-gvims-ggtes-dire3-anvisa-no-03-2023-criterios-diagnosticos-das-infeccoes-relacionadas-a-assistencia-a-saude-iras-de-notificacao-nacional-obrigatoria-para-o-ano-de-2023/view
https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/centrais...
) .

Data analysis

Data were managed on the REDCap platform and then imported into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program, version 21.0. Exploratory (descriptive) data analysis was based on estimating simple absolute frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range, according to data distribution. Associations between primary bloodstream infection and CVC-related clinical and care variables were estimated by Pearson’s chi-square test and Odds Ratio (OR). A two-sided P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Ethical aspects

This study was approved by the National Health Council and by the HCPA’s Research Ethics Committee under Certificate of Presentation of Ethical Appreciation number 09223119.4.0000.5327, and followed the Guidelines and Regulatory Standards for Research involving human beings.

Results

Demographic and clinical characteristics

The study sample included 140 patients with CVC admitted to the COVID-19 ICU, 70 diagnosed with CLABSI (case group) and 70 without infection (control group).

When analyzing the demographic and clinical characteristics ( Table 1 ), we observed a higher frequency of male patients (62.9% in the case group; 57.1% in the control group). Mean age was similar in both groups (56.75±12.54 years and 59.09±15.18 years in the case and control groups, respectively). Systemic arterial hypertension (case group: 70%; control group: 60%) and diabetes (case group: 37.1%; control group: 35.7%) were the most prevalent risk factors associated with severe COVID-19 infection. Of the 140 hospitalized patients, 51 (36.4%) had thromboembolic events, mainly pulmonary thromboembolism (22.9%).

Table 1
- Demographic and clinical characteristics of study participants. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 2021

Main invasive and non-invasive procedures during ICU stay

All patients in the case group received invasive mechanical ventilation, compared to 98.6% in the control group. Interventions such as hemodialysis (37.1%), insertion of other CVCs (36.4%) and non-invasive mechanical ventilation (32.1%) were also widely implemented. Patients in the case group spent more time on mechanical ventilation, 20 (13.7 – 27.2) days compared to 15 (12 – 23) days in the control group (OR: 1.79; 95% CI: 0.91–3.51), showing a significant difference in the association with CLABSI ( P =0.014).

We also observed a significant difference between groups ( P =0.017) regarding the association between CLABSI and patients who required a pronation maneuver during COVID-19 ICU stay (OR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.22–4.81). However, case and control groups showed no significant difference for the association between the number of pronation maneuvers and pronation time ( P =0.062 and P =0.226, respectively).

Of the 140 patients, nine (6.4%) underwent tracheostomy, seven (10%) in the case group and two (2.9%) in the control group ( P =0.165). Table 2 shows other data related to the procedures carried out on the sample.

Table 2
- Invasive and non-invasive procedures carried out on patients admitted to the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 2021

Average time to the occurrence of CLABSI was 11 (8–18) days.

Characteristics of central access devices

In both the case and control groups, the double-lumen catheter was the most commonly used (case: 97.1%; control: 95.7%), followed by the single-lumen catheter (2.1%) and the triple-lumen catheter (1.4%). Regarding insertion site, most catheters were inserted into the internal jugular veins (case: 74.2%; control: 85.7%), followed by femoral (case: 14.3%; control: 8.6%), subclavian (case: 8.6%; control: 4.3%), and axillary veins (case: 2.9%; control: 1.4%). When associating CLABSI with CVC puncture site and number of lumens, we found no statistically significant difference ( P =0.701 and P =1.000, respectively).

The most prevalent indications for CVC insertion were sedoanalgesia (case: 98.6%; control: 97.1%), use of vasoactive drugs (case: 77.1%; control: 68.6%), and large-volume infusion (case: 11.4%; control: 20%). None of these variables differed statistically between groups.

CVC-related complications

Insertion bleeding (case: 12.9%; control: 10%) and obstruction of one or more lumens (case: 10%; control: 8.6%) were the main complications registered in the medical records. Doppler ultrasound confirmed the occurrence of vessel thrombosis in six patients and accidental traction in two others. Table 3 shows that none of these variables differed statistically between the groups.

Table 3
- Central venous catheter-related complications in patients admitted to the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 2021

The main reasons for catheter removal were CLABSI in the case group (75.7%) and death in the control group (37.1%).

Of the 70 CLABSI cases, 61.4% showed growth of Gram-positive bacteria and 38.6% of Gram-negative bacteria in blood culture. The most frequent infecting germs were bacteria from the coagulase-negative Staphylococcus group (41.4%).

Median length of catheter use in all patients was 13 (10–18) days. We estimated similar values in the case and control groups ‒ 12.5 (9–19) and 14 (10–17) days, respectively ‒, and found no significant association with infection onset.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the association between CLABSI onset and clinical and care variables in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. CLABSI onset was associated with length of mechanical ventilation ( P =0.014) and prone position ( P =0.017).

Several clinical complications require ICU treatment associated with ventilatory support. A multicenter cohort study conducted in Spain showed that, of the 667 patients included, only 165 (24%) used a high-flow nasal cannula, whereas 494 (74%) required invasive mechanical ventilation, as in our study ( 1111. Ferrando C, Mellado-Artigas R, Gea A, Arruti E, Aldecoa C, Bordell A, et al. Patient characteristics, clinical course and factors associated to ICU mortality in critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Spain: A prospective, cohort, multicentre study. Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim. 2020;67(8):425-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redare.2020.07.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redare.2020.07...
) .

In addition to endotracheal tubes, the use of other invasive devices exponentially increases the risk of healthcare-related infections. A previously published retrospective analysis found that invasive mechanical ventilator-associated pneumonia and CLABSI onset increased as hospitalization days were prolonged (ventilator-associated pneumonia: 9.8% on day 5 to 58.8% on day 25; CLABSI: 0.9% on day 5 to 5.0% on day 25) ( 1212. Stoclin A, Rotolo F, Hicheri Y, Mons M, Chachaty E, Gachot B, et al. Ventilator-associated pneumonia and bloodstream infections in intensive care unit cancer patients: a retrospective 12-year study on 3388 prospectively monitored patients. Support Care Cancer. 2020;28(1):193-200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04800-6
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04800...
) . Moreover, the length of mechanical ventilation seems to be related to CLABSI incidence in an ICU environment. Although our study found an average infection-free CVC time of 11 days (8–18), an investigation conducted in an adult ICU showed an average of 5.5 days ( 1313. Kallel H, Houcke S, Resiere D, Roy M, Mayence C, Mathien C, et al. Epidemiology and Prognosis of Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Bloodstream Infection. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020;103(1):508-14. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.19-0877
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.19-0877...
) . These findings can be attributed to the clinical severity imposed by COVID-19 compared to other infectious diseases.

Besides invasive procedures, other non-invasive care practices are carried out for the clinical management of COVID-19. Studies indicate that applying the prone position technique to intubated patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and COVID-19 improves oxygenation and decreases mortality ( 1414. Scaravilli V, Grasselli G, Castagna L, Zanella A, Isgrò S, Lucchini A, et al. Prone positioning improves oxygenation in spontaneously breathing nonintubated patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure: a restrospective study. J Crit Care. 2015;30(6):1390-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrc.2015.07.008
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrc.2015.07.0...

15. Shelhamer MC, Wesson PD, Solari IL, Jensen DL, Steele WA, Dimitrov VG, et al. Prone positioning in moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19: a cohort study and analysis of physiology. J Intensive Care Med. 2021;36(2):241-52. https://doi.org/10.1177/0885066620980399
https://doi.org/10.1177/0885066620980399...
- 1616. Sud S, Friedrich JO, Adhikari NK, Taccone P, Mancebo J, Polli F, et al. Effect of prone positioning during mechanical ventilation on mortality among patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. CMAJ. 2014;186(10):381-90. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.140081
https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.140081...
) .

Our results show an association between CLABSI onset and patient prone position; however, the lack of current studies that could justify this association limits us from extrapolating these results. Considering the clinical complexity and difficult management of ICU COVID-19 patients, the high load of vesicants and intravenous drugs administered during treatment and the vast number of invasive procedures associated with skin injuries that can occur due to prone position may explain the findings. Another factor to consider when discussing CLABSI and prone position is the difficulty of monitoring the insertion site of the central venous catheter and its connections, as well as the proper maintenance of dressings, which can be impaired by exposure to intrinsic (oral, tracheal, subcutaneous) and extrinsic (bed humidity, etc.) fluids during long pronation periods ( 88. Pittiruti M, Pinelli F, Annetta MG, Bertoglio S, Biasucci DG, Biffi R, et al., editors. Considerations for the use of vascular access devices in patients with COVID-19 (and some practical recommendations) [Internet]. Roma: GAVeCeLT; 2020 Apr [cited 2021 Dec 16]. Available from: https://www.gavecelt.it/nuovo/sites/default/files/uploads/GAVeCeLT%20-%20Considerations%20on%20the%20use%20of%20vascular%20access%20devices%20in%20patients%20with%20COVID-19.pdf
https://www.gavecelt.it/nuovo/sites/defa...
) .

Research recommends that the puncture site and the number of catheter lumens be evaluated according to the proposed therapy in order to reduce infusion therapy-related risks. Regarding COVID-19 specifically, international studies suggest that the choice of puncture site should be in the infraclavicular region to reduce exposure to oral and tracheal fluids, avoiding catheter-related infections; however, these sites increase the risk of pulmonary complications of mechanical ventilation ( 77. Vailati D, Montrucchio G, Cerotto V, Capozzoli G, Gori F, Petrini F, et al. Choice and management of vascular access in the context of COVID-19 outbreak in Italy: Recommendations from clinical practice. J Vasc Access. 2022;23(1):18-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820968415
https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820968415...
- 88. Pittiruti M, Pinelli F, Annetta MG, Bertoglio S, Biasucci DG, Biffi R, et al., editors. Considerations for the use of vascular access devices in patients with COVID-19 (and some practical recommendations) [Internet]. Roma: GAVeCeLT; 2020 Apr [cited 2021 Dec 16]. Available from: https://www.gavecelt.it/nuovo/sites/default/files/uploads/GAVeCeLT%20-%20Considerations%20on%20the%20use%20of%20vascular%20access%20devices%20in%20patients%20with%20COVID-19.pdf
https://www.gavecelt.it/nuovo/sites/defa...
) . An US cohort study observed that the risk of CLABSI increases proportionally to the number of lumens in the device ( 1717. Couk J, Tejedor SC, Steinberg JP, Robichaux C, Jacob JT. Impact of multiple concurrent central lines on central-line–associated bloodstream infection rates. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2019;40(9):1019-23. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2019.180
https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2019.180...
) . Our study found that the majority of catheters were double lumen (96.4%) inserted into the jugular (80%). Based on the data collected, it was impossible to associate the number of lumens with CLABSI, as the choice of a double-lumen catheter was similar in both groups to support the proposed infusion therapy.

CLABSI occurs mainly by extraluminal colonization ‒ which occurs in the first two weeks due to contamination during catheter insertion ‒ and by intraluminal colonization ‒ which occurs after two weeks of stay, mostly due to inadequate handling techniques ( 1818. Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (BR). Caderno 4: Medidas de Prevenção de Infecção Relacionada à Assistência à Saúde – Série Segurança do Paciente e Qualidade em Serviços de Saúde [Internet]. Brasília: ANVISA; 2017 [cited 2021 Dec 22]. Available from: https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/centraisdeconteudo/publicacoes/servicosdesaude/publicacoes/caderno-4-medidas-de-prevencao-de-infeccao-relacionada-a-assistencia-a-saude.pdf/view
https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/centrais...
) . Our results show that the average time to infection was 11 (8–18) days, proving that excessive manipulation of catheter connections over time tends to favor their contamination, as well as the failure to adopt good practices.

Several studies have shown the prevalence of CLABSI caused by Gram-negative organisms, with coagulase-negative Staphylococcus being the main germ ( 1919. Melo MC, Carvalho APM Neto, Maranhão TL, Costa ES, Nascimento CM, Cavalcanti MG, et al. Microbiological characteristics of bloodstream infections in a reference hospital in northeastern Brazil. Braz J Biol. 2024;84:e253065. https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.253065
https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.253065...
- 2020. Khodare A, Kale P, Pindi G, Joy L, Khillan V. Incidence, Microbiological Profile, and Impact of Preventive Measures on Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infection in Liver Care Intensive Care Unit. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2020;24(1):17-22. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23325
https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-1007...
) . These findings corroborate our study, as bacteria from the coagulase-negative Staphylococcus group predominated in the blood cultures (41.4%), and infections may be associated with catheter handling or site colonization during insertion.

In addition to care, CVC complications may be related to clinical factors inherent to COVID-19, since extreme elevations of D-dimers, thrombocytopenia, decreased fibrinogen and prolonged prothrombin time occur, associated with an increase in thromboembolic events. Anticoagulants are often used for prophylaxis in critically ill patients, which may increase the risk of bleeding ( 2121. Obi AT, Barnes GD, Napolitano LM, Henke PK, Wakefield TW. Venous thrombosis epidemiology, pathophysiology, and anticoagulant therapies and trials in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2021;9(1):23-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvsv.2020.08.030
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvsv.2020.08.0...
) . In our study, apart from infectious complications, the most frequent events were insertion bleeding (18/12.9%) and obstruction of one or more lumens (14/10%).

Our study results show the importance of adopting good practices in CVC insertion, maintenance, and management to avoid complications that could lead to unfavorable outcomes to patients. Identifying the factors associated with infection onset, such as invasive mechanical ventilation and prone position, allows teams to review protocols for the adoption of good practices, care checklists and ongoing training, aimed at reducing these unfavorable outcomes.

As this is a study with retrospective data collection, there may be limitations in finding reliable data in medical records, due to unsatisfactory recording. COVID-19 was an emerging disease, and these data may still be considered insufficient regarding vascular access, especially in associations between clinical and care variables.

Conclusion

Data analysis showed that longer length of invasive mechanical ventilation and prone position were associated with CLABSI onset in COVID-19 patients.

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    Acosta NC, Ceratti RN, Santos MS, Fantin SS, Fuzinatto F, Almeida OP Neto, et al. Central line-associated bloodstream infections in patients with COVID-19. Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem. 2024;32:e4236 [cited year month day]. Available from: URL . https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.7007.4236

Edited by

Associate Editor:

Rosalina Aparecida Partezani Rodrigues

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    29 July 2024
  • Date of issue
    2024

History

  • Received
    07 Sept 2023
  • Accepted
    12 Mar 2024
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