Surgical, infectious and thromboembolic complications of central venous catheterization

The authors have analysed the incidence of specific complications in a series of 420 intracaval catheters placed in 388 patients, using six transcutaneous puncture techniques: supraclavicular and infraclavicular subclavian, external and internal jugular, antecubital and brachiocephalic approaches. Strict and moderate criteria were used to evaluate the frequency of complications. Using strict criteria, the lowest rate of surgical complications (5%) was found with the antecubital and external jugular approach, followed by infraclavicular (6.7%) and supraclavicular (9.3%) subclavian techniques; the highest rate was seen with internal jugular (10%) and brachiocephalic (15%) routes. As to inflammatory and infectious complications, the sequence was as follows: brachiocephalic (2.5%), infraclavicular (4.4%) and supraclavicular (5.3%) subclavian, and internal jugular (7%) veins; a 10% incidence was associated with external jugular and antecubital techniques. Manifest thromboembolic complications were observed only in the brachiocephalic and antecubital groups (2.5% and 10%, respectively), the overall incidence of pulmonary embolism being 0.2%. None of the approaches used can be recommended as an exclusive method of choice. The risks of central venous catheterization should be minimalized by adherence to strict principles of placing as well as care of the indwelling intravenous catheters.