Central venous lines in children with lesser risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Optimal type and timing of placement

Purpose In pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the optimal time for central venous line (CVL) insertion and the optimal type of CVL (internal v external) is unclear. This study was undertaken to compare complication rates between early versus late line insertion, and between internal versus external lines in children with lesser risk ALL. Patients and Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients enrolled onto Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) protocol 9201. Data regarding demographics, CVL types and insertion dates, blood counts, and complications were reviewed through week 25 of therapy. Results Of 697 patients enrolled onto POG protocol 9201, 362 patients had sufficient data for analysis. When compared to late line placement (> day 15 of induction), early CVL placement (<= day 15 of induction) was associated with an increased risk of having a positive blood culture (odds ratio, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.0 to 5.0; P = .05). When compared with internal CVLs ("ports"), external CVLs were associated with a positive blood culture (odds ratio, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3 to 7.5; P = .01), thrombosis (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.5 to 10.3; P = .006), and CVL removal (odds ratio, 5.6; 95% CI, 2.7 to 11.6; P < .001). Conclusion In pediatric patients with lesser risk ALL, internal lines (ports) should be the preferred CVL type due to a lower risk of infectious and thrombotic complications. In addition, CVLs placed early in induction are associated with a higher risk of positive blood culture than those placed later in induction.