Publication
Antibiotic-impregnated versus silver-bearing external ventricular drainage catheters: preliminary results in a randomized controlled trial
Journal Paper/Review - Apr 1, 2013
Winkler K M L, Woernle C M, Seule Martin, Held U, Bernays R L, Keller E
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Pages
Brief description/objective
BACKGROUND
Evaluation of antibiotic-impregnated (AI) and ionized silver particle coated external ventricular drainage catheters (EVD) in patients with subarachnoid (SAH) or intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).
METHODS
Between February 2011 and June 2012, 40 patients with acute hydrocephalus due to SAH, ICH or intraventricular hemorrhage were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, mono-center pilot study. Primary endpoints were defined as: number of events of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infections. Secondary endpoints were defined as: neurosurgical complications following the placement of the EVD, number of revisions of EVD catheters, and cost effectiveness.
RESULTS
Sixty-one EVD placements in 40 patients, 32 antibiotic-coated (Bactiseal(®)), 29 silver-bearing catheters (VentriGuard(®)), have been performed. Confirmed or high suspicion of CSF infections occurred in 11 out of 61 events (confirmed infection: p = 0.71, probable infection: p = 0.90). Revisions of EVD were needed in 13 cases (22 %) due to CSF infection, dysfunction, impaired healing, or malplacement (p = 0.37).
CONCLUSION
Regarding CSF infection rate and dysfunction, no statistical significant differences between the two EVD catheters Bactiseal(®) versus VentriGuard(®) were found. The silver-bearing catheter might offer a safe and cost-conscious alternative to the AI catheter.