[Central vein catheters. Four unusual accidents (author's transl)]

Malpositioning of the tip of a central vein catheter is an accident whose frequency depends in part upon the puncture site. Certain dispositions are especially rare; the authors thus describe. Knotting in the left innominate vein after left internal jugular vein puncture. Catheterisation of the left internal mammary vein from the left subclavian vein. Intertion of a catheter in a pulmonary vein from the femoral route through a septal defect. And finally a thoracic aorta catheterisation by an unnoticed puncture of the left subclavian artery. The diagnostic steps and the conditions necessary to avoid the complications inherent to these malpositions are thereafter discussed.