[Complications of the cannulation of a central venous line]. / Complicaciones de la canalización de una vía venosa central.

Central venous catheters are essential in modern-day medical practice, particularly in intensive care units. Although such catheters provide necessary vascular access, their use puts patients at risk of mechanical and infectious complications. Unfortunately, these complications are associated with an increase of the morbidity-mortality, lengthen hospitalization and raise medical costs. Strategies should be implemented to reduce the incidence of these complications to improve clinical outcome and reduce health-care costs.

Complicaciones de la canalización de una vía venosa central / Complications of the cannulation of a central venous line

Los catéteres venosos centrales son indispensables en la práctica médica actual, especialmente en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos. Aunque estos catéteres proporcionan un acceso vascular necesario, su uso somete a los pacientes a un riesgo de complicaciones mecánicas e infecciosas. Desgraciadamente estas complicaciones se asocian con un aumento de la morbimortalidad, alargan la estancia hospitalaria y elevan los costes médicos. Para mejorar los resultados clínicos y disminuir los costes sanitarios se deben diseñar estrategias con el objetivo de reducir la incidencia de estas complicaciones

Central venous catheters are essential in modern-day medical practice, particularly in intensive care units. Although such catheters provide necessary vascular access, their use puts patients at risk of mechanical and infectious complications. Unfortunately, these complications are associated with an increase of the morbidity-mortality, lengthen hospitalization and raise medical costs. Strategies should be implemented to reduce the incidence of these complications to improve clinical outcome and reduce health-care costs