Complications of subclavian Vein Catheterization and Their Management in the ICU

¹Faculty of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
²Intensive Care, "KAT" Trauma Hospital of Athens, Kifissia, Greece.

Corresponding Author: Leonidas Grigorakos, Associate professor, 2 Nikis St, 14561, Kifissia, Athens, Greece, Tel: +30.210.3709522; E-Mail: [email protected]

Received Date: 30 Dec 2017
Accepted Date: 12 Feb 2018   
Published Date: 13 Feb 2018
Copyright © 2018 Grigorakos LCitation: Grigorakos L, Lazarescu D, Tzortzopoulou K, Alexopoulou A, et al. (2018). Complications of subclavian Vein Catheterization and Their
Management in the ICU. Mathews J Nurs. 1(1): 002.

ABSTRACT

The subclavian approach remains the most commonly used blind approach for subclavian vein catheterization (SVC). Its advantages include consistent landmarks, increased patient comfort, and lower potential for infection or arterial injury compared with other sites of access. However, the list associated with this procedure is quite long. Thus, we describe here the case of three patients in whom serious but preventable SVC complications occurred in an intensive care unit (ICU). We emphasize the role of proper management for minimizing the negative consequences associated with SVC.

Keywords: Catheters and Catheterization; Complications; Veins; Access; Veins, Interventional Procedures.

Abbreviations: 

ICU – Intensive Care Unit
SVC – Subclavian Vein Catheterization