Retrospective analysis of incidence of complications of central venous catheterization at an intensive care unit

Abstract

Objectives: To compare mechanical, infectious, and thrombotic complications of internal jugular; subclavian and femoral venous catheterization at an post surgical and medical intensive care unitsMethods: It is a retrospective study in which the data from the medical records was evaluated and analyzed. Data, such as sex, date of insertion and removal, failure to place, malposition, complications and site of central venous catheterization were recorded. Landmark-based central venous catheterization using seldinger technique was performed under all aseptic precautions in 597 patients in postsurgical and medicine intensive care units. Central venous catheterization by three different routes i.e. IJV, SV and femoral vein were performed in critically ill patients.Results: Incidence of mechanical, infectious, and thromboembolic complications of central venous catheterization was 8.71%, 7.37 %, and 2.68% respectively. Incidences of different mechanical complications are as follows, arterial puncture4.18%, hematoma 3.18%, pneumothorax 1 %, haemothorax 0.33% .Incidence of central venous catheter with failure to place at various sites were 11.72 %. Incidences of central venous catheter with malposition at various sites were 6.36%.Conclusion: We found that complication rates of CVC insertion at our hospital are similar to those reported previously. Based on our experience, internal jugular venous access is associated with a low rate of mechanical complications like arterial punctures, hematoma, pneumothorax, thrombosis. Incidence with infection was least with subclavian cannulation.