Cardiac tamponade?a potentially fatal complication of central venous catheterisation

Potentially fatal complications of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs)

Venous pseudo-aneurysm as a late complication of short-term central venous catheterisation

Complications following central venous catheterisation abound in the medical literature. This reflects the under-estimated potential hazards associated with this procedure as well as an increase in the number of such procedures performed in high-risk patients. We report on a case where a venous pseudo-aneurysm developed four months after the removal of a short-term central venous catheter in a ...

Central venous catheterization and fatal cardiac tamponade.

Cardiac tamponade is a poorly recognized complication of central venous catheterization associated with a high mortality. We present a case of fatal cardiac tamponade after intra- pericardial infusion of total parenteral nutrition in a patient who had two central venous catheters. We suggest that catheter tip position should always be confirmed before use of a catheter. Tamponade should be susp...

Unilateral pleural effusion complicating central venous catheterisation.

Acute respiratory distress developed in two preterm babies because of unilateral hydrothorax secondary to the migration of a central venous catheter into the pulmonary vasculature. Prompt recognition of the problem and rapid treatment are essential and life saving. This complication of intravenous alimentation catheters has not been previously reported in the neonatal age group.

Venous air embolism during air/fluid exchange: a potentially fatal complication.

Intraoperative venous air embolism (VAE) has been described in a number of surgical specialties. It occurs if air is drawn into open veins when the operative field is above the level of the heart, a situation traditionally associated with neurosurgical procedures performed with the patient in the sitting position. Venous air embolism can also occur when air is forced into the venous system unde...