Central Venous Catheter Insertion Sites: Is the Femoral Vein Really Associated with Higher Risk for Infection?

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are associated with higher costs, longer length of stay, and infection-related mortality. Currently, hospitals are not reimbursed for costs associated with CRBSIs. This policy has spawned widespread efforts to prevent such infections. A common theme in current guideline recommendations is to avoid the femoral vein for central venous catheter (CVC) insertion.

Researchers conducted a systematic review and identified 10 studies (2 randomized controlled trials and 8 cohort studies) in which the incidence of CRBSIs was compared in patients with nontunneled CVCs placed in the femoral position and in patients with subclavian or internal jugular (IJ) vein placement. Results of the meta-analysis reveal…