Current Status and Risk Factors of Complications Associated with Central Venous Catheterization in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate incidence and influencing factors of complications related to central venous catheters (CVCs) in the Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of Xi'an Children's Hospital.Methods: We analyzed the complications of all children that had CVCs and were hospitalized between June 2020 to February 2021. A total of 334 CVCs were inserted in 310 children.Results: We noted 102 (30.54%) CVCs-related complications. Complications related to CVCs insertion were infection of catheter (13.17%) and malposition of catheter (8.38%), occlusion of CVCs (2.99%), accidental removal (0.6%), puncture site exudate (4.79%), central venous thrombosis (0.6%). Infection mainly due to Staphylococcus epidermidis. 88 cases (24.55%) of CVCs were extubated due to complications. Analysis of the frequency of maintenance-related complications except for center vein thrombosis showed no differences between the jugular, femoral and subclavian vein access (P > 0.05). It was found that the duration of the catheterization use was critical for the occurrence of CVCs-related infections, puncture site exudate, occlusion (P < 0.05). Suture-off, bleeding of insertion site, and the maximum channels of intravenous infusion in patients were dominant risk factors of catheter-related complications. Conclusion: The risk factors of complications during catheter indwelling are suture-off, bleeding of insertion site and the maximum channels of intravenous infusion in patients. Therefore, strict aseptic operation in various operations, control of the infusion channel, effective fixation of the central venous catheter, reduce the malposition and pull of the catheter, and reduce the infiltration of blood at the puncture point, are particularly important to prevent the complications related to the central venous catheter.