Role of antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infection

Intravascular catheters have become essential tools for the management of patients in modem medical practice, but there are complications. In particular, catheter-related infection remains a major cause of nosocomial infection and primary septicemia. The development of preventive strategies to reduce the incidence of catheter-related infection is an important goal for all health providers. Over recent years, significant advances in prophylactic measures for the prevention of catheter-related infection have been made. This paper reviews strategies based on antibiotic prophylaxis such as systemic administration of antibiotics, application of antibiotic ointments to the skin insertion site as well as catheter flushing with antibiotics, the antibiotic-lock technique and the use of antimicrobial impregnated catheters.