Central venous catheterization (CVC), now a common procedure, has several major complications. We assessed their incidence in a prospective study of 1303 cannulations done in the intensive care unit or operating theatre. Chest radiographs were obtained to verify proper catheter placement and to detect pneumothorax.
Complications were arterial puncture in 68 (5.2%) patients, arrhythmias in 21 (1.6%), cardiopulmonary arrest in 1 (0.1%), and pneumothorax in 5 (0.5%). The tip of the CVC was incorrectly located in 149 (11.2%).
The chest radiograph was a valuable method for detecting complications of central venous catheterization.
HagleyMT, MartinG, GastP, TraegerSM. Infectious and mechanical complications of central venous catheters placed by percutaneous venipuncture and over guidewires.Cut Care Med1992; 20: 1426–30.
4.
LuxEA. Puncture catheterization of central veins—experiences from a primary care clinic.Zentralbl Chir1992; 117: 427–31.
5.
WeySB, AkamineN, Fernandes JuniorC, CendorogloNM, KnobelE.Complications of central venous catheters: prospective study.Rev Assoc Med Bras1993; 39: 88–90.
6.
MansfieldPF, HohnDC, FornageBD, GregurichMA, OtaDM. Complications and failures of subclavian vein catheterization.N Engl J Med1994; 331: 1735–8.
7.
SitzmannJV, TownsendTR, SilerMC, BarlettJG. Septic and technical complications of central venous catheterization.Ann Surg1985; 202: 766–70.
8.
HayashiY, UchidaO, TakakiO, OhnishiY, NakajimaT, KataokaH.Internal jugular vein catheterization in infants undergoing cardiovascular surgery: an analysis of the factors influencing successful catheterization.Anesth Analg1992; 74: 688–93.
9.
TyburskiJG, JosephAL, ThomasGA, SaxeJM, LucasCE. Delayed pneumothorax after central venous access: a potential hazard.Am Surg1993; 59: 587–9.
10.
RutherfordJS, MerryAF, OccleshawCJ. Depth of central venous catheterization and audit of practice in a cardiac surgical unit.Anaesth Intensive Care1994; 22: 267–71.
