Anatomic Site-Specific Complication Rates for Central Venous Catheter Insertions

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Vascular Access
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Understanding central venous catheter (CVC) complication rates is crucial for assessing procedural risks.
• Modern insertion techniques are widely used, but data on site-specific risks across heterogeneous patient populations are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine site-specific mechanical and duration-associated CVC complication rates.
• To evaluate CVC complication risks across common insertion sites (internal jugular, subclavian, femoral) in hospital inpatients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 1179 CVC insertions in 801 adult patients over 9 months.
• Excluded peripherally inserted central catheters and tunneled or fluoroscopically placed CVCs.
• Identified mechanical (e.g., arterial injury) and duration-associated (e.g., DVT, CLABSI) complications.

Main Results:

• Overall complication rate was 5.9% (73 of 1179 CVCs).
• Mechanical complication rate was 1.5%; duration-associated complication rate was 4.4%.
• No statistically significant differences in complication rates were found between internal jugular, subclavian, or femoral insertion sites.

Conclusions:

• Site-specific CVC complication rates may be lower than previously reported.
• Modern CVC insertion techniques demonstrate safety across various patient populations and clinical settings.