5 Common Central Venous Catheters Complications

by Dynamix Group Writer

Central Venous Catheters are medical instruments used by medical practitioners to administer medicines or fluids to patients who are finding it difficult to consume them by mouth. They are also used to give blood to the patient or conduct certain tests. These catheters are inserted into the veins in certain parts of the body like the neck, arms or chest. Though these catheters are extremely effective, there are also certain complications that you need to be aware of.

 

Pulmonary complications

 

Sometimes inserting a Central Venous Catheter may lead to pulmonary complications like injury to the windpipe, trachea or the laryngeal nerve. It may also lead to fluid accumulating or building up between the chest cavity and the lining of the patient’s lungs. CVC insertion may also lead to the formation of air bubbles which can block the supply of blood.

 

Infections

 

Infection is one of the most common complications that can arise from CVC insertion. The production of biofilm can result in infections being established on the catheter’s surface. If not treated on time, infection can cause serious problems like shock and in extreme cases even death. The infections can result from a number of sources like contamination of the catheter from an infused substance or skin flora.

 

Central veins can get damaged

 

Central Venous Catheters insertion can at times damage the patient’s central veins. Some of the complications that may arise during CVC insertion include hematoma, bleeding, arterial injury and venous injury. There is less chance of injury to the veins if the catheter is inserted into the jugular vein. But the occurrence of injury to the veins increases when the catheter is fitted into the leg’s femoral vein.

 

Cardiac complications

 

CVC insertion can lead to arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm. If a patient experiences arrhythmia it is vital that the medical team immediately provide advanced cardiac life support. In extreme cases, the patient may also suffer from cardiac arrest when a CVC is being inserted, but this complication is rare.

 

Device dysfunction

 

Device dysfunction can lead to several complications. During insertion the catheter may break, thrombosis may develop, or the catheter may malfunction due to obstruction. These complications are not only serious, but can even cause death. Unfortunately, it is after several months that the patient or the medical team may realise the occurrence of the complications.

 

There are several complications associated with a CVC that a medical practitioner or patient needs to be aware of. Nevertheless, a CVC is a very beneficial piece of medical equipment that helps deliver medicines, food and liquids directly into the blood. For best results, purchase high quality Foley catheter and other medical equipment from reputed sites like SMB.

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Created on Sep 28th 2020 23:49. Viewed 310 times.

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