Factors related to complications of the invasive blood pressure system among adult and elderly patients: a prospective study

Abstract

Objective: to identify the main factors related to complications of the invasive blood pressure system. Method: prospective study conducted with patients over 18 years of age admitted to intensive care, using a device for measuring invasive blood pressure. Participants were monitored during the catheter dwell-time and sociodemographic, clinical and device data were collected. The outcome analyzed was removal due to non-indication of use or due to complications. Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used for the analyses. Results: 50 participants were included and monitored, and most devices were installed in the radial artery (86%), with a 20-gauge catheter (50%), all with a flexible catheter. Each patient remained, on average, 4.36 days (SD: 3.504) with the device. Regarding the outcomes, 60.0% of the devices were removed due to non-indication of use and 40.0% due to complications. Phlebitis was the most prevalent complication, and pressure in the bag was the factor associated with catheter removal before the time of indication (p=0.046). Conclusion: the main complications associated with this device were obstruction and phlebitis, while pressure in the bag was the factor related to catheter removal before indication.