Catheter tip position in central vein thrombosis

Clinical central venous thrombosis (CVT) was found to be associated with a catheter tip position in the superior vena cava (SVC), but not in the right atrium (RA), in patients receiving a standard parenteral nutrition regime in which dextrose was the sole energy source. CVT was rare with standard lipid containing three in one mixes, even when the catheter tip lay in the SVC. The reasons for this are discussed and the complications associated with catheter tip position are reviewed.