critical care medicine
How To Do Infraclavicular Subclavian Vein Cannulation
Complications
(See also Complications of central venous catheterization .) Complications include Pneumothorax (increased risk because apical pleura [especially on left side] is close to needle insertion path) Arterial puncture Hematoma (increased risk because clavicle impedes application of external pressure to stop subclavian arterial or venous bleeding) Damage to the vein Hemothorax Air embolism Catheter misplacement* (eg, internal jugular vein or thoracic duct) Arrhythmias or atrial perforation, typically caused by guidewire or catheter Nerve damage Infection Thrombosis (due to the catheter itself) * Rare complications due to catheter misplacement include arterial catheterization, hydrothorax, hydromediastinum, and damage to the tricuspid valve. Guidewire or catheter embolism also rarely occurs. To reduce the risk of venous thrombosis and catheter sepsis, CVCs should be removed as soon as they are no longer needed. 