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. 2022 Sep 5;37(35):e266.
doi: 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e266.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Totally Implantable Venous Access Device Infections in Pediatric Patients With Cancer: A Study of 25,954 Device-Days

Joon Kee Lee  1 , Young Bae Choi  2
Affiliations

Incidence and Risk Factors for Totally Implantable Venous Access Device Infections in Pediatric Patients With Cancer: A Study of 25,954 Device-Days

Joon Kee Lee et al. J Korean Med Sci. .

Abstract

Background: Totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) are frequently used in pediatric patients with cancer owing to their multiple benefits. Despite occasional infections with TIVADs, knowledge of the incidence and risk factors is limited.

Methods: This retrospective study included pediatric patients with cancer who received TIVAD at Chungbuk National University Hospital from 2001 to 2021. We collected data on demographics, diagnosis, duration of TIVAD use, pathogens, and other risk factors.

Results: During the study period, 55 TIVADs with 25,954 device-days were applied in 49 patients. There were 15 TIVAD infections (15/55, 27.3%), with an infection rate of 0.21 infections per TIVAD per year (0.58 cases/1,000 device-days). TIVAD infections occurred at a median of 5 months (range, 8 days-30 months) after insertion. The most common causative microorganisms were methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 8, 53.3%) followed by Escherichia coli (n = 3, 20.0%). Infection-free TIVAD survival was higher in the group with normal platelet count at insertion (platelet counts ≥ 150,000/μL) than in the group with thrombocytopenia at insertion (platelet counts < 150,000/μL) (81.3% vs. 32.1%, P = 0.004). Device removal was the mainstay of treatment (11/15, 73.3%).

Conclusion: TIVAD infection may be related to thrombocytopenia at the time of device insertion. Further studies are needed to identify preventive factors against TIVAD infections in children with cancer.

Keywords: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia; Children; Infection; Pediatric Cancer; Totally Implantable Venous Access Device.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. TIVAD infection cases stratified by month.
TIVAD = totally implantable venous access device.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Kaplan-Meier curves of TIVAD infection according to the presence of thrombocytopenia at the time of insertion.
TIVAD = totally implantable venous access device, PLT = platelet count.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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