ORIGINAL ARTICLE Patterns of use of vascular access devices in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: results of an international survey Juan J. Toro& Manuel Morales & Fausto Loberiza & Jose L. Ochoa-Bayona & Cesar O.Freytes Received: 9 January 2007 / Accepted: 12 April 2007 / Published online: 8 May 2007 # Springer-Verlag 2007 Abstract Introduction There is limited information regarding of use of vascularaccessdevices(VAD) in patientsundergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The frequent use of VAD in HSCT and its potential to cause morbidity requires understanding of the general use of VAD in HSCT. Materials and methods A World Wide Web-based 19-item questionnaire was designed to determine the patterns of use of VAD in patients undergoing HSCT. The questionnaire was sentvia electronicmailto thedirectorsof HSCT programs throughout the world. Results Of the 445 centers surveyed, 163 centers replied for a response rate of 37%. The most commonly used catheter for autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvest is the dual-lumen plasmapheresis/hemodialysis (62%). Of the institutions, 58% utilize the same catheter used for PBSC harvestto providevascularaccesssupportduring the transplant. Catheter-related blood stream infection (36%) and withdrawal occlusion (31%) were the most frequently encountered complications of VAD. Of the centers, 65% have established criteria for VAD removal when infection i suspected and 48% when occlusion is suspected. Discussion Our study demonstrated that there are similari- ties in the utilization of VAD but also wide differences in th standard procedures for the insertion and care of VAD in t transplant setting. More comprehensive studies are neede assesstheuseofcentralvenouscatheters in transplant recipients. Important areas for future research include the impact of VAD utilization on the quality of life of transplan recipients and the final consequences of VAD complication Keywords Central venous catheter . Catheter-related thrombosis . Catheter-related infection . Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation . Health care surveys Introduction Vascular access is a critical aspect of the supportive care o patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantati (HSCT).Vascular access devices (VAD) are necessary to deliver high volumes of fluid and administer chemothera- peutic agents to transplant recipients. In addition, VAD fac itate frequent blood sampling and the administration of bl products and antibiotics necessary for the support of pa- tients undergoing HSCT. Despite their utility,the use of VAD has seriouscomplications including infection and thrombosis [4, 6]. These complications not only cause Support Care Cancer (2007) 15:1375–1383 DOI 10.1007/s00520-007-0261-8 Presented in part at the American Society of Hematology Annual Scientific Meeting, December 2004 in San Diego, CA, USA. J. J. Toro : J. L. Ochoa-Bayona : C. O. Freytes Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Audie L.Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital, 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA J. J. Toro (*) : J. L. Ochoa-Bayona : C. O. Freytes Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA e-mail: toro@uthscsa.edu M. Morales Service of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Hospital Universitario N S de Candelaria, 38010 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain F. Loberiza Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 987680 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-7680, USA