Infectious Recidivism in Tunneled Dialysis Catheters Removed for Bloodstream Infection in the Intensive Care Unit

Purpose: To determine the rate of recurrent infection of ICU patients who underwent tunneled dialysis catheter (TDC) exchange or removal for bloodstream infection. Materials and Methods: Forty seven patients, with a total of 61 TDCs removed for bloodstream infection while admitted in an ICU from 2017-2020, were identified. TDCs were exchanged over a wire or removed and replaced. Thirteen patients (21%) were managed with non-tunneled dialysis catheters (NTDCs) until delayed TDC replacement at ICU departure. Forty seven TDCs were removed for bacteremia (77%), 13 for fungemia (21%), and 1 for both (2%). Thirty TDCs (49%) were exchanged over-the-wire (ICU-exchanged TDCs), and 31 (51%) were removed. Of the patients who underwent TDC removal, 9 had a new TDC placed while still admitted in the ICU (ICU-replaced TDCs), and 7 underwent delayed TDC replacement at ICU departure. Data regarding infection, removal technique, catheter replacement, and patient outcomes were analyzed. Results: There were 10 instances of recurrent bloodstream infection (infectious recidivism), occurring in 7 ICU-exchanged TDCs (7/30, 23%) and 3 ICU-replaced TDCs (3/9, 33%). Bloodstream infection complicated 22% of NTDCs used in patients undergoing delayed TDC replacement. No cases of TDC infectious recidivism were observed in patients who underwent delayed TDC replacement (0/7, 0%) after ICU departure. Conclusions: High rates of infectious recidivism exist in the ICU, meriting further investigation into how to optimally manage these patients. In those in whom TDCs are removed, withholding TDC replacement until ICU departure may help to minimize the rate of recurrent infection.