title: Fatal cardiac tamponade and other mechanical complications of central venous catheters.
abstract: A fatal cardiac tamponade caused by an intact polyethylene central venous catheter perforating the wall of the right ventricle is reported. A retrospective review of 105 central venous catheters used in an intensive care unit revealed a high incidence of catheter malposition and a 20 per cent mechanical complication rate. The possible causes of these malpositions and complications are discussed. Guidelines for the safer use of central venous catheters are presented.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000209:etiology