Chlorhexidine gluconate antimicrobial dressings for subclavian central venous catheters
Abstract:
Objective: This study evaluated whether chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) antimicrobial dressings reduce catheter‑related local infection and improve dressing stability in for subclavian central venous catheters (CVCs) in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Methods: A total of 120 patients who underwent HSCT and received subclavian CVC placement in the laminar airflow ward of the Department of Hematology at the study hospital between November 2019 and November 2021 were enrolled. Participants were randomly allocated, using a random number table, to an intervention group or a control group (60 patients each). The intervention group received subclavian CVC fixation and maintenance with CHG antimicrobial dressings, whereas the control group used conventional transparent 3M dressings under the same standardized care protocol. Routine catheter maintenance was performed once weekly in both groups, with continuous intervention over a 5-week period. Outcomes assessed included the incidence of CVC-related local infection (manifested as redness, swelling, and pain at the puncture site), the frequency of dressing changes, and the number of cases of dressing loosening.
Results: The incidence of catheter‑related local infection was 46.67% in the control group and 23.33% in the intervention group. The mean number of dressing changes was 6.7 (range, 2-14) in the control group and 5.4 (range, 1-11) in the intervention group. Dressing loosening occurred in 19 control group patients and 9 intervention group patients. All between-group differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05), indicating fewer local infections, fewer dressing changes, and less dressing loosening with CHG antimicrobial dressings.
Conclusion: In this randomized study, CHG antimicrobial dressings significantly reduced CVC‑related local infection, improved dressing fixation, and lowered the frequency of dressing changes in HSCT patients with subclavian CVCs. These findings support the use of CHG dressings to optimize catheter maintenance and may help reduce nursing workload in this high risk population.
Reference:
Xu XD, Liu SJ, Liu XL, Li D, Wang Y, Yan X. Clinical use of chlorhexidine gluconate antimicrobial dressings for subclavian central venous catheters in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2026 Jul 4;47(4):268-273. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42460911.