Imaging and management of complications of central venous catheters

• Published in: Clinical radiology Vol. 68; no. 5; pp. 529 - 544
• Main Authors: Nayeemuddin, M, Pherwani, A.D, Asquith, J.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2013
• Subjects: Arrhythmias, Cardiac - diagnostic imaging; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - etiology; Catheterization, Central Venous - adverse effects; Catheterization, Central Venous - instrumentation; Catheterization, Central Venous - methods; Catheters, Indwelling - adverse effects; Central Venous Catheters - adverse effects; Equipment Failure; Hemorrhage - diagnostic imaging; Hemorrhage - etiology; Humans; Infection - diagnostic imaging; Infection - etiology; Medical Errors; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Pneumothorax - diagnostic imaging; Pneumothorax - etiology; Radiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Ultrasonography, Interventional - methods; Vascular Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Vascular Diseases - etiology
• ISSN: 0009-9260; 1365-229X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2012.10.013

Central venous catheters (CVCs) provide valuable vascular access. Complications associated with the insertion and maintenance of CVCs includes pneumothorax, arterial puncture, arrhythmias, line fracture, malposition, migration, infection, thrombosis, and fibrin sheath formation. Image-guided CVC placement is now standard practice and reduces the risk of complications compared to the blind landmark insertion technique. This review demonstrates the imaging of a range of complications associated with CVCs and discusses their management with catheter salvage techniques.