Breakdown of complications related to the use of central venous catheters in intensive therapy units

The ICU is a highly complex sector, and among the wide range of interventions performed in the intensive care patient, we highlight the use of the central venous catheter (CVC). Maintaining the CVC requires knowledge and ability to ensure safe and long-lasting vascular access. However, during the permanence time of the device, some complications related to the catheter material, caliber, puncture site, dressing used, type of medication administered and length of stay may occur. Knowing the possible complications that occur with the catheter during its stay and the outcome of these complications favors the health professional in the elaboration of prevention strategies. Therefore, this research aims to elucidate the occurrence of non-elective removal, the main complications and outcomes related to the use of CVC in clients hospitalized in the ICU. This is a descriptive, observational, prospective study with a quantitative approach. The study was carried out in a teaching hospital in Uberaba-MG, from March to August 2016. The population of the study consisted of CVCs inserted in clients hospitalized in the ICUs. As a result, 75 (38.3%) catheters presented complications, being the outcome of 55 (73.3%) non-elective removal when the complication was discovered. The other 121 (61.7%) catheters had the outcome of removal on discharge from the client to the ward 59 (48.7%), death of the client 25 (20.6%), discharge from the client to the ward with the device (Risk benefit) 27 (22.3%) and removal at the physician's discretion 10 (8.2%). The permanence time of the device was 7.65. The greater the number of complications the catheter presented, the greater the chances of catheter loss (63.4). This study emphasizes the importance of conducting other studies that may contribute to the reduction of complications resulting from the use of CVC, and emphasize that complications demand higher expenses for the health system and increase the risk of infection of clients hospitalized in the ICU.