Central venous catheters: Care and complications

Abstract

Central venous catheters are an essential component of care in children and adolescents with cancer and allow for safe and compassionate administration of chemotherapy and supportive medications, infusions, and transfusions in an efficient and cost- effective manner. With these benefits also come a host of decisions and potential complications. Catheter choice includes implanted versus external catheter, those meant for short- versus longer-term usage, as well as catheters that may be utilized for hematopoietic stem cell harvesting. Complications are primarily infection and thrombosis. This chapter provides evidence based graded recommendations from the medical literature regarding choice and care of catheters specific for each patient and provides techniques for prevention, recognition and treatment of the most common complications.