The incidence of complications of central venous catheters at an intensive care unit

Central venous catheter (CVC) placement in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a common practice and is being increasingly used also in general wards. Its use is associated with both mechanical and infectious complications. OBJECTIVE: To determine the infectious and mechanical complication rate of central venous catheterization in an ICU. DESIGN: A retrospective study about complications of 1319 central venous catheter placements. SETTING: An 11-bed adult medical, surgical, neuro-trauma ICU at salmaniya medical complex, Bahrain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all central venous catheter inserted over 4 year's period from October 2002 to December 2006. RESULTS: There were 12 mechanical complications and 128 infectious complications total of 1319 CVCs placed. CONCLUSIONS: The CVC can be performed safely in an ICU if done by a competent physician with all aseptic precautions.