Related Experiment Videos
[Pathology of vein, artery and heart catheterization. Studies of autopsies]
Insights
Catheterization complications, including hemorrhage and sepsis, occurred in 319 of 17,161 autopsies. These severe outcomes, sometimes fatal, underscore the need for strict indications for venous catheterization.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pediatric and Adult Autopsy Studies
Context:
- Catheterization of veins, arteries, and the heart is a common clinical procedure for diagnosis and therapy.
- A significant number of complications can arise from invasive catheterization procedures.
- Autopsy data provides a critical, albeit retrospective, assessment of procedure-related morbidity and mortality.
Purpose:
- To analyze the pathologo-anatomical findings associated with complications following various types of catheterization.
- To determine the incidence and nature of early and late injuries resulting from catheterization.
- To evaluate the contribution of catheterization-related complications to patient mortality.
Summary:
- Analysis of 17,161 autopsies identified 319 cases with complications from venous, arterial, or cardiac catheterization.
- Documented complications include hemorrhages, thromboses, thrombophlebitis, malposition, embolism, vessel perforations, cardiac/pleural injuries, pneumo/hemothorax, sepsis, and septicopyaemia.
- Approximately 10% of these complications were directly or indirectly linked to the cause of death, highlighting the potential severity.
Impact:
- Findings indicate that severe and lethal complications are associated with catheterization, despite its clinical necessity.
- The study supports the prohibition of broad catheterization use and emphasizes the requirement for strong, well-defined indications.
- This research informs clinical practice guidelines, advocating for judicious use of catheterization to mitigate risks.
Abstract:
Among 17,161 autopsies of children and adults 319 cases with complications after catheterization (catheterization of veins, arteries and heart) were analysed. The following pathologo-anatomical findings were established: Haemorrhages, thromboses, thrombophlebitis, incorrect positions of the catheter, embolism after catheterization, perforations of vessels, heart injuries, pleura injuries, pneumo- and haemothorax as well as sepsis and septicopyaemia. The complications were subdivided according to early and late injuries. In 10% the complications after catheterization were directly and indirectly connected with the cause of death. In the clinic the catheterization of the vein is a necessary diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. The evaluation of an extensive autopsy material, however, shows that severe and lethal complications may appear in connection with catheterization. For these reasons a broad use is prohibited. The demand of a strong indication is unrestrictedly to be supported.