Bibliographic information
GuidelineGuidelines for the prevention of bloodstream infections and other infections associated with the use of intravascular catheters: part 2: central venous catheters
Year of Publication2026
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
New
WHO suggests against routinely replacing a central venous catheter (CVC) (unless clinically indicated) in adults, adolescents, children and neonates. (Short- and long-term catheters) (All population)
Recommended against
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Very low
Notes and Remarks
- The GDG members acknowledged that this recommendation does not apply in situations where it is clinically indicated to replace a CVC (for example, catheter failure due to blockage or other complications).
- Some studies have shown that infectious complications gradually increase with the dwell time of the catheter, in particular after 10 days (181) and if left in situ for more than 2 weeks (183).
- Routine replacement may also carry a theoretical risk of increased sharps injuries as performing more procedures inherently raises the likelihood of exposure.