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.


METHODS
A retrospective study about complications of 1319 central venous catheter placements.


METHODS
An 11-bed adult medical, surgical, neuro-trauma ICU at salmaniya medical complex, Bahrain.


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.
Akmal
A H
AH
Department of Intensive Care Unit, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain. akmalnachan7@hotmail.com
Hasan
M
M
Mariam
A
A