A clinical study on immediate complications of central venous catheter insertion in surgical patients in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Central venous access is a common procedure performed in management of the critical patients. Central venous catheters (CVC’s) are used for delivery of intravenous fluids, medications, parenteral nutrition and monitoring of hemodynamic variables. However, placement of the central lines is not without risks, and there are complications associated with their placement which could be serious and sometimes can be life threatening. Complications can present in an immediate or delayed manner and they may vary based on the type of central venous access. Methods: This prospective, observational study was conducted from 1st November 2017 till 31st April 2019 on patients admitted under the department of surgery at Christian medical college and hospital, Ludhiana. Results: Complications were seen in 16.67% of the patients. Arterial puncture was noticed in 13.33%, bleeding 5.33%, hematoma 4.67% and malposition of central line in 2%. Bleeding was found to be more in internal jugular vein (IJV) access 5.71% compared to subclavian vein (SCV) 4.44%, hematoma 4.76% in IJV compared to SCV 4.44%. Coiling of the central line was noted to be more in IJV 2.86% compared to SCV 0.00%. The incidence of immediate complications was noticed to be more with IJV than subclavian approach and when more than 2 attempts were made. Conclusions: This study concluded that incidence of immediate complications was noticed to be more with IJV than subclavian approach and when more than 2 attempts were made.