PLACEMENT OF LONG-TERM CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERS IN OUTPATIENTS - STUDY OF 134 PATIENTS OVER 24,596 CATHETER DAYS

venous access devices in outpatients using a simple technique that min imizes the risks of complications linked to venipuncture and errors in management. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We placed 147 central venous cathe ters (CVCs) in 134 patients under local anesthesia. No sedation was us ed, and all procedures were done in our radiology department. Of the 1 34 patients, 101 patients were included in the follow-up. Overall foll ow-up of patients were 24,596 catheter days (mean, 243.52 days). Percu taneous access, mostly by the subclavian vein, was done by micropunctu re technique under flouroscopic guidance. Six CVCs were untunneled, 36 were connected to totally subcutaneous ports, and 105 were tunneled.R ESULTS. The only immediate complication was pneumothorax (3%). Late co mplica tions, expressed per 1000 catheter days, included CVC breakage (0.12), Vascular thrombosis (0.08), catheter occlusion (0.04), dislodg ment (0.24), and local or systemic infections (0.40). CONCLUSION. Outp atient CVC placement is feasible because the procedure is not adversel y affected when the patient is not hospitalized. The drawbacks are ide ntical to those faced by inpatients. Improved materials and more exten sive information on the management of patients with long-term CVCs wou ld help reduce complications further.