Introduction:

External ventricular drainage is a useful tool in the handling of neurocritical patients. However, this device is not free from complications. Ventriculitis is the most important related complication.

Objectives:

To determine the prevalence of ventriculitis in adult patients with external ventricular drainage of the National Hospital, to describe the associated risk factors and to identify the most frequently isolated microorganisms.

Results:

Ninety two patients with external ventricular drainage were included and 20% developed ventriculitis. All patients with ventriculitis presented symptoms of infection seven days after drainage installation and half of them required a change of the catheter which was a risk factor. The most frequent isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis and Acinetobacter baumanii.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of ventriculitis related to the external ventricular drainage catheter was 20%. The statistically associated risk factor was the change of catheter. The most frequent isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis and Acinetobacter baumanii.

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