Vol. 13, Issue 8 (2024)

Author(s):
Dr. Ashish Kumar, Dr. Prafull Kumar Arya and Dr. Puneet Chopra

Abstract:
Central venous catheter (CVC) placement is a commonly performed procedure in hospitalized patients. However, CVC procedure is associated with various complications, which add to the morbidity, increase the hospital stay and cost. To assess the rate of complications associated with CVC placement, we analysed 325 consecutive patients over 12 month period at a tertiary care hospital. All hospitalised patients, 16 years or older, requiring CVC were included. The complications included local bleeding (6.8%), arterial puncture (4.6%), pneumothorax (0.92%), and central line associated blood stream infection (4%). Factors like multiple insertion attempts, antiplatelet use, and coagulopathy significantly correlated with higher complication rates (p<0.05). The subclavian site exhibited more mechanical issues compared to the internal jugular or femoral site, which was statistically non-significant. Findings underscore the importance of tailored approaches for CVC placement to mitigate risks and optimize patient outcomes. Enhanced protocols incorporating ultrasound and standardized techniques are crucial for improving procedural safety.