A peripherally-inserted central venous catheter is a valuable means of vascular access; however, it may be associated with a number of complications.
Complications include:
(1) insertion site infection
(2) sepsis
(3) thrombosis
(4) air embolism
(5) fracture of catheter tip and embolization
(6) drug extravasation
(7) intravenous fluid infiltration
(8) occlusion
Risk factors for complications:
(1) extreme of age (infant, elderly)
(2) immunodeficiency
(3) hypercoagulable
(4) lack of skill of the inserter
(5) failure to maintain adequately
(6) lack of standardized protocols
(7) multiple lumens
(8) power-injection
(9) inadequate stabilization
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Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
