Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
Single-centre randomised comparison
Participants
Median age 13 years (range 5 to 16 years). 20 children with CF attending a UK regional CF centre.
Interventions
Silastic long IV line (0.3 mm internal diameter, Dow Corning) inserted into the brachial vein versus short IV line (20 or 22 Guage, Venflon). All lines had a constant infusion of 1 unit / mL of heparin running at one mL/h.
Outcome measures
Number of procedures. Lifespan of the line (days). Patient satisfaction: arbitrary visual analogue scale (0 = awful; 10 = excellent). Complications of the device.
Main results
Silastic catheters were favoured by the patient, lasted longer, and had fewer complications.
Keywords: Anti-Bacterial Agents; pharmacological_intervention; Catheterization- Central Venous; Catheterization- Peripheral; Intravenous; Continuous; non pharmacological intervention - devices OR physiotherapy; Bacterial Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Infection; heparin; Other drugs;