Dressings and Securement Devices of Peripheral Arterial Catheters in Intensive Care Units and Operating Theaters: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic monitoring, implemented by the placement of peripheral arterial catheters (PACs), is a characterizing aspect of the intensive care units. Peripheral arterial catheters can continually detect blood pressure and quickly conduct blood sampling. The use of PACs is generally considered safe, without serious complications. Currently, only 25% of the implanted catheters are actually subject to complications, including accidental removal, dislocation, occlusion, and infection. All of these complications arise from inadequate catheter stabilization at the level of the skin. This study aimed to summarize and describe the effectiveness and characteristics of dressings and securement devices for catheter stabilization.

METHODS: A systematic review of literature from the following databases was conducted: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, and OvidSP. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement to guide article selection and reporting.

RESULTS: Herein 626 articles were referred, with 5 directly related to the topic under discussion. We found 3 studies that describe PAC failure and 4 about dislodgement. We described 6 types of dressings or securement devices and classified them into 3 categories for classifying PAC dressings or securement devices. These were detected and grouped as adhesive tissues, sutureless devices, and transparent polyurethane dressings.

CONCLUSIONS: Current research indicates that transparent polyurethane dressings offer the most effective catheter stabilization, but adhesive tissues may constitute a valid alternative. However, there are limited high-quality studies about effective dressings and securement devices for PACs.