Single-lumen vs double-lumen catheters for total parenteral nutrition. A randomized, prospective trial
B. H. Johnson and E. B. Rypins
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach, Calif.
Multilumen catheters have been condemned for hyperalimentation based on
reports of infection rates between 10% and 25% in uncontrolled studies.
Because of the potential usefulness of multilumen catheters, we studied
infection rates in a prospective, randomized trial. All patients requiring
total parenteral nutrition were randomized to either single- or
double-lumen catheters. Single-lumen catheters were used for dextrose-amino
acids only. Medications or fat emulsions were given either by another
central line or peripherally. Double-lumen catheters were used for
dextrose-amino acid solutions, compatible medications, and fat emulsions.
Catheters were cultured (48 single lumen and 53 double lumen) from 112
patients who successfully completed the study. No patients in either group
developed catheter sepsis. We concluded that parenteral nutrition can be
given as safely via double-lumen catheters as single-lumen catheters when
strict protocols are established and followed.
