Complication of long term vascular accesses. Case report

Long term central vascular accesses are frequently used in the common clinical practice for drug infusion or sample taking; nevertheless they expose the patient to possible severe complications, mainly infectious and thrombotic ones. This case report summarizes main complications directly or indirectly linked to the long-term permanence of the device, and highlights the importance of an accurate evaluation of risk-benefit ratio of catheter placement and of an adequate knowledge of the patient about the maintenance of the device.