Catheter complications in AIDS patients treated for cytomegalovirus retinitis

PURPOSE: To describe the complications of central venous catheter use for intravenous therapy of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in patients with AIDS. METHODS: Retrospective review of 388 patients with AIDS and CMV retinitis treated with intravenous medications through an indwelling catheter. RESULTS: The catheter complication rate was 1.2 complications per person-year (0.33 complications per 100 catheter-days). Current injecting drug use increased the risk of infectious complications [hazard ratio (HR), 1.73; P=0.04] whereas former use did not (HR, 0.96; P=0.88). Subdermal port catheters increased the risk of bacteremia (HR, 1.78; P=0.05). Mortality for the first complication was 5.8%. Forty percent of patients required catheter removal, and 86.8% of these patients required reinsertion of another catheter. CONCLUSIONS: Catheter complications are a substantial problem in patients with CMV retinitis treated with daily intravenous therapy.