ICU Chest Films > Lines and Tubes > Central Venous Pressure Monitors > Complications of CVP Catheter Placement
Complications of CVP Catheter Placement
Complications of central line placement may result in pneumothorax, occurring in as many as 6% of cases. This is more frequent when the catheter is placed by an inexperienced operator. Damage may also be caused by guidewires causing injury to the endothelium. This may result in thrombus formation or possibly vessel perforation.
How close would you estimate that the subclavian vein is to the apex of the lung?
5 cm
0.5 cm
2 cm
This sagittal view of the chest shows the proximity of the parietal
pleural and the subclavian vein.
(Adapted from Mitchel, Sally E. et al., "Complications
of Central Venous Catheterization. AJR 133:467-476, Sept 1979.)
