Limitations
This study has several limitations. The study was subject to bias
because of its retrospective nature. TTE has previously been reported to
have a 75% sensitivity and 90% specificity for RAT detection,
indicating that our reported incidence of 5.2% is likely to be lower
than the true incidence of RAT development in patients with a CVC in the
RA.12 Furthermore, detection of RAT was limited to
patients receiving clinically indicated imaging. A study surveilling
each patient with CVC tip in the RA would provide the most accurate
estimate of catheter-associated RAT.