Infection of AV fistula

Background

  • Dialysis catheter–related bacteremia is common and potentially life-threatening

Clinical Features

  • Often presents with signs of systemic sepsis (fever, hypotension, leukocytosis)
    • Classic signs of pain, erythema, swelling, discharge from infected access are often missing

Differential Diagnosis

AV Fistula Complications

Workup

  • Draw peripheral and catheter blood cultures simultaneously
    • 4x higher colony count in catheter blood culture suggests catheter is source of bacteremia

Management

Disposition

  • Admit

See Also

External Links

References