RT Journal Article T1 Tunneled catheter-related bacteremia in hemodialysis patients: incidence, risk factors and outcomes. A 14-year observational study. A1 Almenara-Tejederas, Marina A1 Rodríguez-Pérez, María A A1 Moyano-Franco, María J A1 de Cueto-López, Marina A1 Rodríguez-Baño, Jesús A1 Salgueira-Lazo, Mercedes K1 Bacteremia K1 Bloodstream K1 Hemodialysis K1 Tunneled catheter AB Tunneled catheter-related bacteremia represents one of the major complications in patients on hemodialysis, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of tunneled catheter-related bacteremia and, secondly, to identify possible factors involved in the first episode of bacteremia. This is a retrospective study of all tunneled catheters inserted between 1 January, 2005 and 31 December, 2019. Data on patients with a tunneled catheter were analyzed for comorbidities, catheter characteristics, microbiological culture results and variables related to the first episode of bacteremia. Patient outcomes were also assessed. In the 14-year period under study, 406 tunneled catheters were implanted in 325 patients. A total of 85 cases of tunneled catheter-related bacteremia were diagnosed, resulting in an incidence of 0.40 per 1000 catheter days (81.1% after 6 months of implantation). The predominant microorganisms isolated were Gram-positive organisms: Staphylococcus epidermidis (48.4%); Staphylococcus aureus (28.0%). We found no significant differences in time to catheter removal for infections or non-infection-related reasons. The jugular vein, the Palindrome® catheter, and being the first vascular access were protective factors for the first episode of bacteremia. The 30-day mortality rate from the first tunneled catheter-related bacteremia was 8.7%. The incidence of bacteremia in our study was low and did not seem to have a relevant impact on catheter survival. S. epidermidis was the most frequently isolated microorganism, followed by S. aureus. We identified Palindrome® catheter, jugular vein, and being the first vascular access as significant protective factors against tunneled catheter-related bacteremia. YR 2022 FD 2022-08-17 LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/21830 UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/21830 LA en DS RISalud RD Apr 18, 2025