This is an observational study evaluating a catheter salvage strategy in relation to catheter-related bloodstream infections in patients with chronic intestinal failure dependent on home parenteral support. The study is confined to the period 2002 to 2016.

In chronic intestinal failure patients receiving home parenteral support (HPS), catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) frequently results in replacement of their tunneled central venous catheters (CVCs) which may lead to future loss of central venous access.

This observational study investigates the consequences of a catheter-salvage-strategy related to CRBSIs according to different causative microorganisms, and short- and long-term risk of recurrence of the CRBSI. The study is based on the Copenhagen Intestinal failure database, which is a web-based database with retrospective data collection performed by reviews of medical charts from all adult intestinal failure patients discharged with home parenteral support from the Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Rigshospitalet.

Inclusion Criteria:

• chronic intestinal failure dependent on home parenteral support and enrolled in the Copenhagen Intestinal failure database

Exclusion Criteria:

• Never discharged on home parenteral support

Patients with intestinal failure, characterised by a reduction in the guts capacity to absorb macronutrients and/or fluid and electrolytes below what is necessary to maintain health, and therefore parenteral support (nutrition and/or fluids and electrolytes) is required to sustain life. Patient initiated on Home parenteral support was entered into the Copenhagen Intestinal failure database, and thereby eligible in this cohorte study.