[Complications in the heart and vessels from the prolonged venous catheterization of burn patients]

Under analysis were the results of 31 autopsies of patients with extensive (from 20 to 75% of the body surface) and deep burns who died of sepsis. In 15 patients peripheral and central veins were catheterized, the duration of staying the catheter in the veins varying from 7 till 80 days. A direct relationship between prolonged catheterization of the venous vessels in burned patients and the frequency of septic endocardites has been established.