FREQUENCY OF MECHANICAL COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH INSERTION OOFF CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERS IN ADULT PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE FACILITY

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of overall mechanical complications associated with insertion of central venous catheters in adult patients reporting to hospital.

Study Design: Observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine Combined Military Hospital, Lahore & Army Cardiac Center, Lahore (Pakistan) from June 2011 to December 2011.

Patients and Methods: Eighty seven adults fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study through non-probability consecutive sampling. Central venous catheters (CVCs) were inserted using standardised kits and adopting Sledinger technique. The patients were observed for any immediate mechanical complications. Standard treatment was offered to those developing complications except for catheter malposition which was not corrected. All entries were made on the patients’ proformas.

Results: A total of 61(70%) catheters had complications with highest frequency associated with malpositioned 40(46%) catheters.

Conclusion: Catheter malposition was the most frequent complication encountered.