Complications of Central Venous Catheterization

Abstract

It is estimated that millions of central venous catheters (CVCs) are inserted yearly in US hospitals. ¹ McGee D.C. Gould M.K. Preventing complications of central venous catheterization. N Engl J Med. 2003; 348 : 1123-1133 Crossref PubMed Scopus (656) Google Scholar The profound impact of the complications associated with CVC use is so important that efforts to minimize and prevent their occurrence should be a routine element of quality improvement programs. This review aims at centralizing the evidence currently available and presenting it as a ready reference that could assist in estimating the magnitude of the problem and formulating prevention initiatives. Additionally, emphasis is placed on the growing body of information that supports the use of ultrasonography-assisted insertion (UAI) as a superior technique to decrease adverse events from CVC insertion. From a clinical and practical point of view, which better correlates with usage issues, CVC complications are best classified as secondary to insertion, indwelling, and extraction practices.