Routine Replacement of Tunneled, Cuffed, Hemodialysis Catheters Eliminates Paraspinal/Vertebral Infections in Patients with Catheter-Associated Bacteremia

Abstract

Our experience suggests that routine exchange of tunneled, cuffed catheters over a guide wire in HD patients presenting with bacteremia may significantly reduce serious infectious complications, e.g., epidural abscess/vertebral osteomyelitis.