Immediate Mechanical Complications After Central Venous Catheterization

Central venous catheterization is a common invasive procedure in anaesthesia, intensive care, and emergency medicine, but it is associated with a risk of immediate mechanical complications ranging from minor events to rare but potentially life-threatening major complications. Although the widespread use of real-time ultrasound guidance has reduced complication rates, major mechanical complications continue to occur and remain clinically important.

This observational registry study (CATH-RISK) is designed to extend a previously conducted multicentre cohort study of mechanical complications after central venous catheterization by substantially increasing the number of included catheter insertions. The larger dataset will allow more precise estimation of complication rates and more robust assessment of factors associated with major mechanical complications occurring in close temporal relation to catheter insertion.

All central venous catheter insertions performed in participating hospitals during the study period will be identified through existing electronic health record-based registries. Mechanical complications occurring within a predefined time window after catheter insertion will be systematically recorded and classified according to predefined criteria. Patient-related, operator-related, and procedure-related variables routinely available in clinical documentation will be extracted for analysis.

The primary objective of the study is to determine the incidence of immediate mechanical complications, including major mechanical complications, after central venous catheterization in contemporary clinical practice. Secondary objectives include identifying factors associated with major mechanical complications and describing their relative contributions.

An additional exploratory objective is to assess the feasibility of combining selected variables into a risk estimation model (CATH-RISK) for major mechanical complications. Given the expected low incidence of major complications, any modelling will be considered hypothesis-generating and aimed at evaluating potential clinical usefulness rather than establishing a definitive prediction tool.

The study is purely observational and does not involve any deviation from standard clinical care. No study-specific interventions will be performed, and no additional procedures, examinations, or follow-up visits will be required for participants.

Inclusion criteria

• All patients receiving a central venous catheter within the study period will be observed

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who die within 24 hours for reasons unrelated to the catheterization will be excluded, whereas patients whose death is directly related to the central venous catheterization will be included