Mechanical Complications of Central Venous Catheters

Abstract

We analyzed 385 consecutive central venous catheter (CVC) attempts over a 6-month period. All critically ill patients 18 years of age or older requiring a CVC were included. The rate of mechanical complications not including failure to place was 14%. Complications included failure to place the CVC (n = 86), arterial puncture (n = 18), improper position (n = 14), pneumothorax (n = 5 in 258 subclavian and internal jugular attempts), hematoma (n = 3), hemothorax (n = 1), and asystolic cardiac arrest of unknown etiology (n = 1). Male patients had a significantly higher complication rate than female patients (37% vs 27%, P = .04). The subclavian approach had a higher complication rate than the internal jugular or the femoral approach (39% vs 33% vs. 24%, P = .02). The complication rate increased with the number of percutaneous punctures, with a rate of 54% when more than 2 punctures were required.

Use of simulation‐based mastery learning to improve the quality of central venous catheter placement in a medical intensive care unit

“…Needle passes have been used by other investigators as a surrogate measure for reduced CVC-associated complications because mechanical complications rise exponentially with more than two insertion attempts. [4][5][6][7]29 We believe this finding demonstrates transfer of skill acquired from simulation-based training to the actual clinical environment. It is possible that ultrasound training accounts for the improvement in the simulatortrained group.…”

“…4-8 Pneumothorax rates for internal jugular (IJ) CVCs have been reported to range from 0% to 0.2% and for subclavian (SC) CVCs from 1.5% to 3.1%. 4,5 The arterial puncture rate for IJ CVCs ranges from 5.0% to 9.4% and for SC CVCs from 3.1% to 4.9%. 4,5 Proper use of ultrasound to assist with IJ CVC insertion has been shown to decrease these mechanical complications.…”

“…4,5 The arterial puncture rate for IJ CVCs ranges from 5.0% to 9.4% and for SC CVCs from 3.1% to 4.9%. 4,5 Proper use of ultrasound to assist with IJ CVC insertion has been shown to decrease these mechanical complications. 4,5 However, studies of ultrasound use with SC CVC insertion have mixed results.…”

“…3,4 Similarly, a higher number of needle passes or attempts during CVC insertion correlates with mechanical complications such as pneumothorax or arterial punctures. [4][5][6][7][8] Pneumothorax rates for internal jugular (IJ) CVCs have been reported to range from 0% to 0.2% and for subclavian (SC) CVCs from 1.5% to 3.1%. 4,5 The arterial puncture rate for IJ CVCs ranges from 5.0% to 9.4% and for SC CVCs from 3.1% to 4.9%.…”

“…4,5 Proper use of ultrasound to assist with IJ CVC insertion has been shown to decrease these mechanical complications. 4,5 However, studies of ultrasound use with SC CVC insertion have mixed results. 4 Simulation-based training has been used in medical education to increase knowledge, provide opportunities for deliberate and safe practice, and shape the development of clinical skills.…”