Guidelines in surgical intensive care medicine - central venous catheterisation

Central venous catherisation (CVC) is an invasive procedure, which needs a severe indication. It allows the measurement of central venous pressure, the infusion of hypertonic or irritant solutions, the application of vasoactive drugs and an access for special purposes (like pulmonary artery catheter or continuous haemodiafiltration). There ex ist some specific compliations associated with insertion and also associated with the CVC being in place. Therefore it is necessary to document the indication, the control of placement, the duration of catheterisation and the complications.