For patients with blood malignancies, they often require multiple rounds of chemotherapy with long treatment cycles. Due to the significant risk of venous injury caused by chemotherapy drugs, peripheral intravenous catheterization (PICC) with central venous catheters is widely used for its repeatability and safety. However, due to the low immunity, decreased platelets, and abnormal coagulation function caused by the disease and chemotherapy, the PICC puncture site is prone to local leakage and severe infection. If not handled properly, it can lead to catheter-related infections and unplanned removal. This article explores the use of alginates dressing in the care of severe infections at PICC puncture sites in patients with blood diseases, achieving good therapeutic effects.
Alginates dressing is made of alginate fibers
Alginate is a natural linear polysaccharide with non-toxicity and higher biodegradability. Its fibrous structure has strong hygroscopicity, and it can absorb exudate more than 20 times its own weight. Therefore, it is widely used in clinical wound healing, especially in wounds with a lot of inflammatory exudate. In dry conditions, the function of repair cells weakens, causing scabbing and possible tissue necrosis, which can affect wound healing. Alginate dressings, when covering the surface of the infected puncture site, form a web-like gel-like layer with its unique biological tissue characteristics, providing a moist environment for wound healing. Some scholars also believe that the alginate fibers expand into a gel-like state after absorbing moisture, locking in a large amount of exudate. At the same time, the expansion of individual fibers reduces the micropores between them, causing liquid localization and avoiding the diffusion of inflammatory exudate, which is the unique biological tissue characteristics of "gel blocking" of alginate dressings.
The silver ions in alginates dressing have potent antibacterial abilities
Alginates dressing can effectively inhibit bacterial growth, preventing further infection at the puncture site. For blood disease patients who already have a psychological burden, especially when severe PICC infections occur, there is a lack of understanding of their own condition and PICC-related care, in conjunction with restricted activities of the upper extremity, pain and discomfort at the infection site, and prolonged treatment time, premature removal of the catheter may further exacerbate the patient's anxiety, leading to a decline in their quality of life and even a shortened life expectancy, forming a vicious cycle. The advantages of alginate dressings, such as comfort and shortened healing time, can effectively reduce anxiety in patients. Furthermore, alginate fibers have strong biodegradability, and a small amount of residual fibers can gradually be absorbed by soft tissues around the puncture site after changing the dressing, relieving patients' pain. Alginate dressings can avoid adverse reactions caused by the use of antibacterial drugs and the shortcomings of conventional dressings, such as a long healing time and low patient compliance. Moreover, using alginate dressings does not cost more than conventional dressings, and can relieve patients' pain and anxiety, forming a solid foundation for further treatment.
