title: Identifying complications of central venous catheters: infection, thrombosis, occlusion.
abstract: (1) The signs of infection of implanted port catheters are inflammation along the course of a central catheter, oozing or signs of an abscess of the pocket in which the port is implanted. Catheter-related venous thrombosis should be suspected in the event of pain, oedema, local swelling, a palpable venous cord and development of superficial collateral circulation; (2) The rapid appearance of local signs and symptoms at the time of injection suggests extravasation of the injected drug; (3) Catheter patency should be checked with normal saline, never using too much force if resistance is encountered. If there is a thrombotic occlusion, the catheter can often be unblocked with heparin, or if not, with urokinase. There is only a moderate risk of bleeding if these agents are used carefully.
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000150:complications*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014654:Vascular Patency; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator