Information about the central venous pressure is important in evaluating several clinical conditions including cardiac failure and volume overload. The jugular veins serve as a primary route for the indirect estimation of the central venous pressure or waveform. The conventional methods for acquiring the central venous pressure in these veins have been through neck visualization and the insertion of catheters. Even though these procedures are effective if done properly, they have various downsides such as being invasive, inaccurate and time consuming. In this research, a sensor is proposed for the noninvasive detection of central venous waveforms within the jugular veins. The sensor is a reflectance configured probe which utilizes laser based on the photoplethysmography principle. The effectiveness of the sensor was tested in-vitro using a mock circulatory loop and was also tested on a single human subject. The results from the tests indicated a very good sensor response in estimating pressure waveforms.

Introduction and Background: Central venous catheters (CVCs) are extensively used worldwide. Mechanical, infectious and thrombotic complications are well described with their use and may be associated with prolonged hospitalisation, increased medical costs and mortality. CVCs account for an estimated 90% of all catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) and a host of risk factors for CVC-related infections have been documented. These include, most importantly, the duration of catheterisation. The duration of use of CVCs remains controversial and the length of time such devices can safely be left in place has not been fully and objectively addressed in the critically ill patient. Over the past few years, antimicrobial impregnated catheters have been introduced in an attempt to limit catheter-related infection (CRI) and increase the time that CVCs can safely be left in situ. Recent meta-analyses concluded that antimicrobial-impregnated CVCs appear to be effective in reducing CRI. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective randomised double-blind study performed in the adult multidisciplinary Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) over a four year period. The study entailed a comparison of standard triple-lumen versus antimicrobial impregnated CVCs on the rate of CRI. The aim was to determine whether the duration of catheter insertion time could safely be increased from the standard practice of seven days at the CMJAH adult multidisciplinary ICU to 14 days, to assess the influence of the antimicrobial impregnated catheter on the incidence of CRI, and to elucidate the epidemiology and risks of CRI. Results: One hundred and eighteen critically ill patients were included in the study which spanned 34 951.5 catheter hours (3.99 catheter years). Sixty-two patients received a standard triple-lumen catheter and 56, a chlorhexidine-silver sulfadiazine (CSS) impregnated triple-lumen catheter. The mean duration of placement for the full sample of 118 CVCs was 12.3 days (range, 1-14). No statistically significant difference in CRI rates between the two types of catheters could be demonstrated. The most common source of primary CRBSI was skin, followed by hub and infusate. The site of CVC insertion (internal jugular versus subclavian vein) and the use of parenteral nutrition were not noted to be risk factors for catheter infection. There was no clinical evidence of catheter-related thrombosis in either of the study groups. Conclusion: This study was unable to demonstrate that antimicrobial catheters provided any significant benefit over standard catheters, which it is felt, can safely be left in place for up to 14 days with appropriate infection control measures. The most common source of CRI was the skin. The administration of parenteral nutrition and the site of catheter insertion (internal jugular vein versus subclavian vein) were not noted to be risk factors for CRI. There was no clinical evidence of thrombotic complications in either of the study groups. This study offers direction for the use of CVCs in critically ill patients and addresses many of the controversies that exist.

The Relationship Between Central Venous Catheter and Post-operative Complications in Patients Undergoing Hepatic Resection David C. O’Connor, Ph.D., DNAP, CRNA A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2018 Dissertation Chair: Clarence J. Biddle, Ph.D., CRNA Hepatic resection is indicated for primary and secondary malignancies. Use of a low central venous pressure technique is associated with decreased blood loss in these cases. This technique has evolved; central venous catheters and high dose morphine are no longer used, and patients are extubated earlier. The purpose of this study is to assess a relationship between these changes and outcomes. Central venous pressure has fallen out of favor as an accurate fluid measurement. Central venous catheters are associated with many complications. Outcomes in patients undergoing hepatic resection have improved over 20 years at one high volume institution. Guided by Donabedian’s theory of measuring outcomes, a non-randomized, non-experimental, retrospective, cohort design was conducted. The independent variables were intraoperative insertion of a central venous catheter, use of morphine, and time of extubation. The dependent variables were superficial and deep wound infections, number and severity of complications. The population sample is patients who submitted to partial hepatectomy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 2007-2016. Data was obtained from hepatobiliary and anesthesia databases at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Data of 2518 from a possible 3903 patients were analyzed with chi square, univariate, Poisson and multivariate regressions. Univariate analysis for presence of CVC was significant for 90-day mortality (p 0.013). Use of morphine was significant for superficial wound infection (p 0.035), and a decrease in complications (p <.001). Amount of morphine was associated with fewer severe complications (p <.001). Incidental findings included a relationship between gender, total amount of fluids and number of segments resected. The significance of CVC with 90-day mortality was eliminated with stepwise multivariate regression. The findings support the change in anesthetic practice with clinical significance. Incidental findings regarding fluids and segments are supported in the literature. Future research should include goal directed fluid therapy and investigation of the relationship between gender and outcomes.

The present thesis deals with the issue of central venous catheter treatment in intensive and metabolic care, as well as the complications, which can accompany central venous cannulation and thus affect the possible period of using central venous catheter. The theoretical part tries to summarize the information concerning the issues of central venous catheters and their treatment. It also contains essential physiological and anatomical notes concerning central venous cannulation and a historical summary with regard to the present knowledge. The first part of the empirical section of the research follows the medical approach in various departments of the 4th Department of Internal Medicine of the General Teaching Hospital in Prague, as well as their influence on prevention and the rise of complications. The goal of the second part of the research is to make suggestions for treatment of central venous catheters, which could help to improve nursing care and the using period of catheter. The conclusion evaluates, whether the recommendations have at least partially become a part of the nursing care and if they have helped to resolve the areas of concern or not. Key words Central venous catheter, nursing care, complications of central venous catheter, central venous access.

Os acessos venosos são indispensáveis para assistência do paciente em situação crítica. O cateter venoso central (CVC) é um acesso que viabiliza a terapêutica dessa clientela, mas o seu uso pode levar à infecções. Estas infecções ocasionam maior permanência hospitalar, elevam os custos totais das instituições e aumentam a morbidade e a mortalidade do paciente. O uso de curativos como cobertura do sítio de saída do CVC é eficaz na prevenção das infecções relacionadas a estes cateteres, em particular, o uso de curativos impregnados com antissépticos como o curativo gel de clorexidina. Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar a efetividade do curativo gel de clorexidina com a do filme transparente de poliuretano na prevenção da colonização do cateter venoso central em pacientes adultos críticos. Trata-se de estudo experimental, do tipo ensaio clínico randomizado, com tratamentos em paralelo, prospectivo e monocêntrico, realizado de acordo com as recomendações do Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT). O estudo foi realizado na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e na Unidade Coronariana de um hospital de ensino do interior do Estado de São Paulo. Participaram do estudo 102 indivíduos hospitalizados nestes locais, divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: grupo intervenção, no qual o tipo de cobertura utilizada foi o curativo de gel de clorexidina e grupo controle, que utilizou como cobertura o filme transparente de poliuretano. O desfecho primário mensurado foi a colonização do cateter e os desfechos secundários foram a infecção clínica do sítio de saída, a infecção microbiológica do sítio de saída e a infecção da corrente sanguínea relacionada ao cateter. Para a coleta de dados foi elaborado um instrumento, e este validado quanto ao seu conteúdo e forma por 13 enfermeiros pertencentes aos locais do estudo. Estes profissionais foram treinados para a realização dos curativos e coleta das pontas dos cateteres centrais, swabs dos sítios de saída e hemoculturas. Análises descritivas foram usadas para todas as variáveis do estudo. O teste Exato de Fisher foi utilizado para comparar as proporções de cada desfecho nos grupos de intervenção e controle, e a regressão logística para explorar se a colonização no CVC poderia ser associada com o tempo de uso do cateter e com o Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) dos pacientes do estudo. De acordo com os resultados não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre a colonização nos dois grupos (p valor = 1.00), para a infecção microbiológica do sítio de saída (p valor = 0.08), para a infecção clínica do sítio de saída (p valor = 0.77) e para as infecções da corrente sanguínea relacionadas ao cateter (p valor = 1,00). Conclui-se que o presente estudo pode contribuir para que as unidades de saúde tenham subsídios para realizar a escolha do tipo de curativo baseado em suas necessidades institucionais e no desenvolvimento de protocolos relacionados à medidas de inserção e manutenção do cateter, bem como medidas educativas permanentes / The venous access is essential to patient care in critical condition. The central venous catheter (CVC) is an access point that allows the treatment of patients, but its use can lead to infections. These infections increase the period of hospital permanence, the total costs of institutions and the patients\' morbidity and mortality. The use of dressings for coverage of the CVC exit-site is effective in preventing infections related to these catheters, in particular, the use of dressings impregnated with antiseptics such as chlorhexidine gel. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of chlorhexidine gel dressing with the transparent polyurethane film in preventing colonization of central venous catheter in critical adult patients. This randomized experimental study with parallel treatment, prospective and monocentric, which is conducted according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines. The research was performed in an Intensive Care Unit and in a Coronary Care of a teaching hospital in the interior of the State of São Paulo. The study included 102 patients hospitalized in these units, randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group, which used chlorhexidine gel dressing and the control group, which used the transparent polyurethane film dressing. The primary outcome measured was the colonization of the catheter and the secondary outcomes were the clinical infection and microbial infection of the exit-site and the catheter-related bloodstream infection. Data were collected through an instrument developed and validated in terms of content and form by 13 nurses of the Units where the study was performed. These professionals were trained to use the dressings and to collect the tips of central catheters, swabs of the exit-site and blood cultures. Descriptive statistics were used for all study variables. The Fisher\'s exact test was used to compare the proportions of each outcome in the groups of intervention and control. The logistic regression analysis was used to explore if the colonization of the CVC could be associated with the catheter usage time and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) of the research\'s participants. According to the results there was no statistically significant difference between colonization in both groups (p value=1:00), for exit-site microbial infection (p value=0:08), for exit- site clinical infection (p value = 0.77) and for catheter-related bloodstream infection (p-value=1.00). The results of this study may contribute in providing subsidies to health units to make the choice in the use of the type of dressing based on their institutional needs and in the development of protocols related to integration measures and maintenance of the catheter, as well as permanent educational measures

Abstract Central venous access devices (CVADs) have become essential interventions for pediatric patients. However, their use is associated with serious complications. The most common and potentially preventable complication is catheter related blood steam infections (CRBSIs). Despite the implementation of interventions that have been shown to decrease their risk, CRBSIs still occur. Pediatric nurses were surveyed regarding their knowledge and application of recommended CVAD care practices, and their perspectives on possible factors that could contribute to the incidence of CRBSIs. Donabedian’s (1966) Structure-Process-Outcome Model guided the study. A cross-sectional, descriptive and exploratory mixed-methods survey design was used. The convenience sample consisted of 93 pediatric nurses. Findings indicate areas of concern related to adherence to CVAD care guidelines and situations that could interfere with the provision of recommended CVAD care. The primary factor identified was the use of improper technique by members of the healthcare team and the patients’ families.

Os acessos venosos são indispensáveis para assistência do paciente em situação crítica. O cateter venoso central (CVC) é um acesso que viabiliza a terapêutica dessa clientela, mas o seu uso pode levar à infecções. Estas infecções ocasionam maior permanência hospitalar, elevam os custos totais das instituições e aumentam a morbidade e a mortalidade do paciente. O uso de curativos como cobertura do sítio de saída do CVC é eficaz na prevenção das infecções relacionadas a estes cateteres, em particular, o uso de curativos impregnados com antissépticos como o curativo gel de clorexidina. Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar a efetividade do curativo gel de clorexidina com a do filme transparente de poliuretano na prevenção da colonização do cateter venoso central em pacientes adultos críticos. Trata-se de estudo experimental, do tipo ensaio clínico randomizado, com tratamentos em paralelo, prospectivo e monocêntrico, realizado de acordo com as recomendações do Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT). O estudo foi realizado na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e na Unidade Coronariana de um hospital de ensino do interior do Estado de São Paulo. Participaram do estudo 102 indivíduos hospitalizados nestes locais, divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: grupo intervenção, no qual o tipo de cobertura utilizada foi o curativo de gel de clorexidina e grupo controle, que utilizou como cobertura o filme transparente de poliuretano. O desfecho primário mensurado foi a colonização do cateter e os desfechos secundários foram a infecção clínica do sítio de saída, a infecção microbiológica do sítio de saída e a infecção da corrente sanguínea relacionada ao cateter. Para a coleta de dados foi elaborado um instrumento, e este validado quanto ao seu conteúdo e forma por 13 enfermeiros pertencentes aos locais do estudo. Estes profissionais foram treinados para a realização dos curativos e coleta das pontas dos cateteres centrais, swabs dos sítios de saída e hemoculturas. Análises descritivas foram usadas para todas as variáveis do estudo. O teste Exato de Fisher foi utilizado para comparar as proporções de cada desfecho nos grupos de intervenção e controle, e a regressão logística para explorar se a colonização no CVC poderia ser associada com o tempo de uso do cateter e com o Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) dos pacientes do estudo. De acordo com os resultados não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre a colonização nos dois grupos (p valor = 1.00), para a infecção microbiológica do sítio de saída (p valor = 0.08), para a infecção clínica do sítio de saída (p valor = 0.77) e para as infecções da corrente sanguínea relacionadas ao cateter (p valor = 1,00). Conclui-se que o presente estudo pode contribuir para que as unidades de saúde tenham subsídios para realizar a escolha do tipo de curativo baseado em suas necessidades institucionais e no desenvolvimento de protocolos relacionados à medidas de inserção e manutenção do cateter, bem como medidas educativas permanentes / The venous access is essential to patient care in critical condition. The central venous catheter (CVC) is an access point that allows the treatment of patients, but its use can lead to infections. These infections increase the period of hospital permanence, the total costs of institutions and the patients\' morbidity and mortality. The use of dressings for coverage of the CVC exit-site is effective in preventing infections related to these catheters, in particular, the use of dressings impregnated with antiseptics such as chlorhexidine gel. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of chlorhexidine gel dressing with the transparent polyurethane film in preventing colonization of central venous catheter in critical adult patients. This randomized experimental study with parallel treatment, prospective and monocentric, which is conducted according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines. The research was performed in an Intensive Care Unit and in a Coronary Care of a teaching hospital in the interior of the State of São Paulo. The study included 102 patients hospitalized in these units, randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group, which used chlorhexidine gel dressing and the control group, which used the transparent polyurethane film dressing. The primary outcome measured was the colonization of the catheter and the secondary outcomes were the clinical infection and microbial infection of the exit-site and the catheter-related bloodstream infection. Data were collected through an instrument developed and validated in terms of content and form by 13 nurses of the Units where the study was performed. These professionals were trained to use the dressings and to collect the tips of central catheters, swabs of the exit-site and blood cultures. Descriptive statistics were used for all study variables. The Fisher\'s exact test was used to compare the proportions of each outcome in the groups of intervention and control. The logistic regression analysis was used to explore if the colonization of the CVC could be associated with the catheter usage time and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) of the research\'s participants. According to the results there was no statistically significant difference between colonization in both groups (p value=1:00), for exit-site microbial infection (p value=0:08), for exit- site clinical infection (p value = 0.77) and for catheter-related bloodstream infection (p-value=1.00). The results of this study may contribute in providing subsidies to health units to make the choice in the use of the type of dressing based on their institutional needs and in the development of protocols related to integration measures and maintenance of the catheter, as well as permanent educational measures

Objective Formulation of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the use of thromboprophylaxis (TP) in pediatric patients with a central venous catheter (CVC). Participants The development team consisted of five experts and a doctoral candidate acting as the primary author. Evidence The guideline was developed utilizing the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II framework. A systematic review of the evidence was performed and evidence was graded using the American Academy of Pediatrics (2004) evidence classifications for CPG recommendations. An appraisal team evaluated the guideline quality utilizing the AGREE Plus platform rating the guideline as “highest quality.” Consensus Employing a modified Delphi methodology, members of the development team reviewed available evidence and voted on proposed Key Action Statements (KAS). Consensus is defined as 80% rating the KAS “usually appropriate.” Conclusion Five KAS are included in the final CPG. Each KAS indicates level of evidence, benefit-harm relationship, and level of recommendation. KAS 1. Providers of hospitalized children (0-18 years of age) may assess for VTE risk factors using the Skrocki VTE risk stratification tool if the patient has a CVC. (Evidence Quality:C, Rec. Strength: Option). KAS 2. Providers of hospitalized children should initiate targeted pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis (tpTP) at the time of CVC insertion or hospital admission (if CVC present on admission). (Evidence Quality: B, Rec. Strength: Strong Recommendation) KAS 3. Providers of hospitalized children with a CVC should implement mechanical thromboprophylaxis (mTP) if the child is immobile (Braden Q score <2) or moderate/ high risk for VTE using the Skrocki VTE risk stratification tool and have no contraindications to mTP. (Evidence Quality: B, Rec. Strength: Recommendation). KAS 4. Providers of hospitalized children with a CVC may prescribe systemic pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis (spTP) if the patient is found to be at high risk for VTE using Skrocki VTE risk stratification tool and the patient has no contraindications to spTP. (Evidence Quality: C, Rec. Strength: Option). KAS 5. Providers of hospitalized children should avoid femoral CVCs, multilumen CVCs and/or percutaneous insertion technique if their benefit does not clearly outweigh their risks. (Evidence Quality: B, Rec. Strength: Recommendation).

The supine posture has been shown to limit exercise-induced plasma volume expansion. Differences in hydrostatic pressure gradients between the standing and seated position indicate that treadmill exercise might promote a greater plasma volume expansion than cycle ergometer exercise. To test this hypothesis ten subjects performed intermittent high intensity exercise (4 min at 85% VO2max, 5 min at 40% VO2max repeated 8 times) on separate days on the treadmill and cycle ergometer. Changes in plasma volume expansion were calculated from changes in hematocrit and hemoglobin. Stroke volume (SV), trans-thoracic impedance (Z0), HR, and arterial blood pressure (non-invasive arm cuff, SBP & DBP) were assessed in the seated position before and postexercise. Zo increased (p<0.05) as subjects started exercise (both treadmill and cycling), indicating a reduction in central blood volume (CBV), which returned to baseline towards the end of exercise. Postexercise Zo returned to control levels within 30 min regardless of the previous exercise mode. A significant post-exercise hypotension was observed following cycle ergometer exercise (p<0.05) but not following treadmill exercise. Plasma volume increased 6.1±1.0% and 7.0 ± 1.1% (p<0.05) following treadmill and cycle ergometer exercise, respectively. The increase in PV was similar for both exercise modes. Initial differences in central blood volume disappeared over the course of the exercise protocol and during recovery, possibly indicating that there is a postural threshold and moving beyond it yields no further effect. The lack of differences between modes of exercise on plasma albumin content and Z0 indicate that the upright postures were not different from each other. As such, PV expansion following high intensity intermittent exercise appears to be independent of upright exercise mode.

Os pacientes submetidos ao transplante de medula óssea (TMO) necessitam de um acesso venoso seguro para a infusão da medula óssea sem que haja comprometimento do enxerto, assim a implantação de um cateter venoso central é parte da terapêutica, sendo o de Hickman o mais utilizado atualmente; entretanto, sua presença impõe riscos aos pacientes, sendo a infecção, o mais preocupante. A implementação da prática baseada em evidências fundamenta a tomada de decisão do enfermeiro, uma vez que a utilização de resultados de pesquisa é um dos pilares desta abordagem. O presente estudo é uma revisão integrativa da literatura, que teve como objetivo buscar e avaliar as evidências sobre os cuidados de enfermagem relacionados ao cateter de Hickman após a sua implantação, no paciente submetido ao TMO. Para a seleção dos artigos utilizamos as bases de dados Lilacs, Medline, Cinahl e o periódico Bone Marrow Transplantation, e a amostra constituiu-se de 18 artigos. O curativo recomendado é o de poliuretano trocado a cada 7 dias. O método de coleta de sangue observado foi o de descarte, sendo que a dosagem de ciclosporina não deve ser coletada da mesma via onde foi infundida. A redução do número de manipulações do cateter é considerada uma medida eficaz na prevenção e no controle de infecção. As evidências extraídas dos estudos analisados podem auxiliar a implementação de cuidados de enfermagem eficazes relacionados ao cateter de Hickman visando principalmente a melhoria da assistência à saúde. / Patients submitted to Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) need a safe venous access for the infusion of bone marrow, without jeopardizing the graft. Thus, the implantation of a central venous catheter is a part of therapy, with Hickman s catheter as the most commonly used type; however, its presence entails risks for the patients, the most preoccupying of which is infection. The implementation of evidence-based practice, with the use of research results as one of its pillars and supports nurses decision making. This integrative literature review aimed to look for and evaluate evidence on nursing care related to Hickman s catheter after its implantation in patients submitted to BMT. Articles were selected from the Lilacs, Medline and Cinahl databases and from the journal Bone Marrow Transplantation. The sample consisted of 18 articles. Polyurethane dressings are recommended, to be changed every 7 days. The observed blood collection method was through discarding, in which the cyclosporine dose should not be collected from the same pathway it was infused in. Reducing the number of catheter manipulations is considered an efficient measure for infection prevention and control. The evidence taken from the studies that were analyzed can be of help in the implementation of efficient nursing care related to Hickman s catheter, mainly with a view to better health care.