Tunneled catheter-related bacteremia in hemodialysis patients: incidence, risk factors and outcomes. A 14-year observational study

Background Tunneled catheter-related bacteremia represents one of the major complications in patients on hemodialysis, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of tunneled catheterrelated bacteremia and, secondly, to identify possible factors involved in the first episode of bacteremia. Methods This is a retrospective study of all tunneled catheters inserted between 1 January, 2005 and 31 December, 2019. Data on patients with a tunneled catheter were analyzed for comorbidities, catheter characteristics, microbiological culture results and variables related to the first episode of bacteremia. Patient outcomes were also assessed. Results In the 14-year period under study, 406 tunneled catheters were implanted in 325 patients. A total of 85 cases of tunneled catheter-related bacteremia were diagnosed, resulting in an incidence of 0.40 per 1000 catheter days (81.1% after 6 months of implantation). The predominant microorganisms isolated were Gram-positive organisms: Staphylococcus epidermidis (48.4%); Staphylococcus aureus (28.0%). We found no significant differences in time to catheter removal for infections or non-infection-related reasons. The jugular vein, the Palindrome® catheter, and being the first vascular access were protective factors for the first episode of bacteremia. The 30-day mortality rate from the first tunneled catheter-related bacteremia was 8.7%. Conclusions The incidence of bacteremia in our study was low and did not seem to have a relevant impact on catheter survival. S. epidermidis was the most frequently isolated microorganism, followed by S. aureus. We identified Palindrome® catheter, jugular vein, and being the first vascular access as significant protective factors against tunneled catheter-related bacteremia.