Complications of central venous catheters during pregnancy and postpartum: a case series

The objective of the study was to determine the incidence of central venous catheter-related complications during pregnancy and postpartum.

This was a retrospective case series of patients admitted for obstetric care and who had a central venous catheter placed between Jan. 1, 2000, and July 10, 2006. Patient characteristics, catheter indication, and associated complications were identified.

Ninety-seven catheter placements in 85 patients were identified. Seventy-six percent of the catheters were placed antepartum at 24.7 +/- 10.7 weeks' gestation. Indications for catheter placement included the following: failed peripheral intravenous access (n = 59; 61%), long-term venous access (n = 33; 34%), and other (n = 5; 5%). The overall incidence of catheter complications was 25% (24/97). Complications included the following: culture-proven line infection 12% (12/97), mechanical failure 4% (4/97), presumed line infection 2% (2/97), superficial and deep venous thrombosis 2% (2/97), hematoma 2% (2/97), ventricular tachycardia 1% (1/97), and discomfort 1% (1/97).

The overall incidence of catheter complications was 25%, of which 12% were infectious.