Comparison of hospital length of stay, costs, and readmissions of alteplase versus catheter replacement among patients with occluded central venous catheters.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Central venous catheter (CVC) occlusion is common, affecting 30% of all CVCs.

Objective

To compare length of stay (LOS), costs, and readmissions associated with the use of alteplase to clear catheter blockage to outcomes associated with catheter replacement.

Design

Retrospective observational study utilizing a large hospital database.

Participants

Hospitalized patients treated for catheter occlusion from January 2006 to December 2011.

Main measures

Univariate analyses of patient characteristics and treatment patterns and multivariable regression analyses of postocclusion hospital costs, LOS, and 30- and 90-day readmissions were conducted.

Key results

We included 34,579 patients treated for a CVC occlusion by replacement (N=1028) or by a

SUBMITTER: Ernst FR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4374705 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature