Coiling of central venous catheter: A rare and preventable complication

Abstract

Central venous catheter (CVC) placement is not only restricted to Intensive Care Units and operation theaters but its horizon has also expanded to the bedside placements. Meticulous care and aids such as ultrasound and fluoroscopy dramatically increase the successful placement of needles, guidewires, and catheters, but still a large number of catheter misplacements can occur. The formation of a loop in CVC is a rare complication occurring mostly during right-sided catheterization. We report a rare complication of coiling of left subclavian CVC.

Sternal Retraction and Subclavian Vein Catheter Occlusion during Cardiac Surgery

“…In our study, catheter tip malposition was a risk for catheter occlusion (23.07%). In addition, as in a previous report, inability to aspirate blood from the lumen occurred in malpositioned catheters [25]. Therefore, negative findings for blood aspiration from any of the lumens must be considered a sign of catheter tip malposition.…”

Coiling of shaft of the central venous catheter inside left subclavian vein- a case report

“…Most of the literatures have P reported coiling of the tip of the catheter inside the vein. 5,6 The malposition of the catheter can be suspected and detected early if at any moment during the procedure, resistance of the guide wire insertion, catheter insertion or absence of blood flow from any one the lumen of the catheter is encountered. We describe a case where the shaft of the central venous catheter was unexpectedly coiled inside the left subclavian vein with the tip positioned at superior venacava.…”