Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
Controlled study of silastic long IV line compared with short IV line.
Participants
34 participants with CF (2 positive sweat tests) an acute pulmonary exacerbation requiring IV therapy. Age range: 4-20 years.
Interventions
Half of the participants were allocated to the silastic long line group.
Outcome measures
Mean line life in the long IV line group was 16.76 days (SD 4.44) versus 2.66 (0.62) days in the short IV line group. 6 long IV lines had complications. The number of complications in the short IV lines group was not reported. No episodes of bacteraemia.
Authors' conclusions
silastic long lines are superior to conventional cannulas in terms of patient tolerance, reduction in the number of hospital admissions, reduction in the number of repeat venepunctures/cannulations and reduction in local complications. The high degree of patient acceptability has been impressive and has increased with the enthusiasm of children with cystic fibrosis for more frequent intravenous therapy.