What type of complications is most common with a Central Venous Catheter?

When managing patients with a Central Venous Catheter (CVC), infection complications are considered the most common and significant risk. Central Venous Catheters provide direct access to the bloodstream, which increases susceptibility to infections, particularly bloodstream infections. Such infections can arise from bacteria entering the catheter during insertion or through the skin around the catheter entry site.

In clinical practice, meticulous care and adherence to aseptic techniques are critical to minimize this risk; however, despite these measures, the likelihood of infection remains a considerable concern. It’s important to monitor for any signs of infection, such as fever, increased redness or swelling around the site, or unusual discharge, and to take prompt action when these symptoms arise.

Other types of complications, such as bleeding or dialysate leakage, are possible but not as prevalent as infection in patients using CVCs for dialysis. High blood pressure complications are also not commonly directly associated with the presence of a CVC, as they typically stem from other underlying issues rather than complications arising specifically from catheter use. Therefore, the prevalence and critical nature of infection risks associated with CVCs make it the most common complication in this context.