Central catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBIs) can lead to severe complications, including suppurative thrombophlebitis, endocarditis, and metastatic infections. While complications due to CRBIs caused by Staphylococcus aureus (SA) are well-known, there are limited data regarding CRBIs caused by other bacteria.

This 2-year retrospective single-center study of patients with CRBIs from a tertiary care hospital examined the hematogenous complications associated with CRBIs according to patient characteristics, central venous catheter (CVC) types, and causative bacteria.

All in all, 254 patients with confirmed CRBIs were included; 285 bacteria types were isolated, mainly Enterobacteriaceae (n = 94), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS, n = 82), SA (n = 45), and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria (NGB, n = 45). Among the patients, 35 developed at least one hematogenous complication (14 %), including suppurative thrombophlebitis (n = 15), endocarditis (n = 7) and metastatic infections (n = 16). In multivariate analysis, hemodialysis, persistent bacteremia for at least 3 days, and CRBIs caused by SA were associated with increased risk for hematogenous complications, while previous curative anticoagulant treatment was associated with reduced risk. Diabetes, CVC maintenance, and hematogenous complications were associated with increased 3-month mortality.

A thorough investigation of hematogenous complications should be envisioned in patients with persistent bacteremia, particularly those with SA infections and those on hemodialysis.