COMPLICATIONS OF 1303 CENTRAL VENOUS CANNULATIONS

Central Venous catheterization (CVC), now a common procedure, has seve ral major complications. We assessed their incidence in a prospective study of 1303 cannulations done in the intensive care unit or operatin g theatre. Chest radiographs were obtained to verify proper catheter p lacement and to detect pneumothorax. Complications were arterial punct ure in 68 (5.2%) patients, arrhythmias in 21 (1.6%), cardiopulmonary a rrest in 1 (0.1%), and pneumothorax in 5 (0.5%). The tip of the CVC wa s incorrectly located in 149 (11.2%). The chest radiograph was a valua ble method for detecting complications of central venous catheterizati on.