Risk Factors for Puncture Site Complications

Description

Long intravascular catheters often have a large diameter and can make a significant opening the wall of a vein or artery. Certain risk factors may increase the risk of internal or external bleeding associated with placement or removal of an intravascular catheter.

General risk factors (both arterial and venous):

(1) coagulopathy

(2) administration of anticoagulants

(3) trauma to wall of the blood vessel during insertion or removal

(4) inadequate post-procedural compression of the puncture site

Additional risk factors for arterial catheters:

(5) systemic hypertension

(6) severe atherosclerosis

(7) inability of the patient to remain immobile following the procedure

A person at significant risk for complications may benefit from closer monitoring and more aggressive therapy, such as use of a puncture site closure device.

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Description

Specialty

ICD-10