Central venous catheters are routinely placed in patients undergoing major surgeries where expected volume and hemodynamic disturbances are likely consequences. The incorrect positioning may give false central venous pressure (CVP) readings leading to incorrect volume replacement and other serious complications. 50 American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade II-IV patients aged 18-60 years wer...

We report the occurrence of a bilateral pneumothoraces after unilateral central venous catheterization of the right subclavian vein in a 70-year-old patient. The patient had no history of pulmonary or pleural disease and no history of cardiothoracic surgery. Two days earlier, she had a median laparotomy under general and epidural anaesthesia. Prior to the procedure, the patient was hemodynamica...

Dye dilution and cardiac catheterization technics were used to study 36 patients with a central left-to-right shunt due to patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect. The configuration of dilution curves following injection of dye into an antecubital vein was similar in all instances. Principal abnormalities of the curve were a prolongation of its disappearance ...

Haemothorax is an uncommon and serious complication, occurring most often during or immediately after percutaneous internal jugular and subclavian vein catheterizations. Delayed haemothorax is a rare complication, especially following right-sided catheterization. We report a case of acute yellow phosphorus poisoning with acute liver failure (resulting from rat killer paste ingestion) in a 28-ye...

We describe a patient who developed bilateral pleural effusions as a delayed complication following central venous catheter insertion. Respiratory distress should not only raise the clinical suspicion of a pneumothorax but also of erosion and perforation of the central vein. The mechanism, diagnosis, management and prevention of this complication are discussed.