Complications related to central venous catheters: A special focus on infections

The central venous catheter (CVC) is essential for various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and was first reported to have been used in a patient in 1969. Over time, the indications for its use have become increasingly numerous. Its application involves placing the catheter into a large-lumen venous system-most commonly the internal jugular, subclavian, or femoral vein-for the administration of parenteral nutrition and fluids, certain medications, hemodialysis (HD), blood sampling, and central venous pressure (CVP) measurement. Complications related to CVC placement occur in 2-26% of cases and may be mechanical, infectious, or thrombotic. Although CVC insertion can be beneficial for patient recovery, it is not always essential for treatment. Therefore, the decision to place a CVC must be carefully considered. During catheter insertion, it is crucial to ensure thorough preparation, adherence to sterile technique, and appropriate post-procedural care to minimize the risk of potentially life-threatening complications. Among these, infections are the most frequently reported and will be discussed in detail in this paper. The aim of our study was to present the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to central venous access, as well as the potential complications associated with CVCs, with a particular focus on infections. This review is based on a search of scientific and professional literature, especially original research articles published within the last five years, in the following scientific databases: PubMed, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, the Science Citation Index (SCI), and digital academic archives and repositories such as Dabar and Heart.