Emergency Femoral Central Venous Catheterization in an Elderly Patient Complicated by Distal Guidewire Migration

Summary 

Central line placement is a common technique in emergency and critical care. Although it is not a very difficult procedure, severe complications sometimes occur. We present a very rare complication of distal guidewire migration to the superior vena cava while performing femoral venous catheterization in an elderly patient. The problems of human errors are discussed and precautions are proposed.

Key Words:  central venous catheterization , complication , elderly , emergency department , femoral vein , guidewire

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