Thromboembolic complications from central venous catheters: A comparison of three catheter materials

In this comparative study of catheter materials used in central venous catheterization (CVC) into large veins, the overall frequency of CVC‐induced thrombosis was 12%. A 20% incidence of CVC‐induced thrombosis with siliconized polyethylene catheter, 9% with Teflon ® catheter, and 6% with heparinized polyethylene catheter was seen. Thrombosis thus was significantly less common with Teflon ® and heparinized polyethylene than with siliconized polyethylene ( p <0.05). Repeat arm phlebography was performed in 15 patients and revealed no late formation or progression of thrombosis. Pulmonary embolism appeared in 2 patients and was fatal in one of them.