Gamma radiation-sterilized, triple-lumen catheters coated with a low concentration of chlorhexidine were not efficacious at preventing catheter infections in intensive care unit patients

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1996 Sep;40(9):1995-7. doi: 10.1128/AAC.40.9.1995.

Abstract

In a randomized, double-blind trial, gamma radiation-sterilized, chlorhexidine-coated triple-lumen catheters were compared with uncoated control catheters for their ability to prevent catheter infection in 254 intensive care unit patients. The chlorhexidine coating was not efficacious, and a rabbit model demonstrated that reduction of chlorhexidine activity by gamma radiation sterilization was the likely explanation for the failure.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Bacteremia / prevention & control
  • Catheterization / adverse effects*
  • Catheterization / instrumentation*
  • Chlorhexidine / pharmacology*
  • Critical Care*
  • Cross Infection / blood
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Disinfectants / pharmacology*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Gamma Rays
  • Humans
  • Sterilization / methods*

Substances

  • Disinfectants
  • Chlorhexidine