Indications for the use of the central venous catheter and the time of its use in the patients hospitalized in the internal medicine service of the Dr. Miguel Pérez Carreño hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The insertion of the central venous catheter (CVC) has meant a great advance in modern medicine and its widespread use has allowed the development of new diagnostic techniques and specialized treatments. In this study we present the indications present at the moment of placing the central venous catheter and the time of use in patients. Methods: The research was of a retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional type, with a non-experimental research design and aimed to know, in a direct way, the reality of the problem. The units of observation were (188) clinical records of patients admitted to the internal medicine service in the hospital Miguel Pérez Carreño in the period between January and April 2017. Results: 68% of the indication of the central venous catheter is for the measurement of central venous pressure (CVP) and fluid control, while in 32% the indication was for drug administration. The time of use had a predominance of 61% of patients who used the central venous catheter for 1 to 3 weeks, secondly, 36% used the catheter for a few days, only 3% required the use of the central venous catheter for 1 month. Conclusions: The majority of patients studied had CVC as main indication for fluid control and central venous pressure measurement. With a duration of 1 to 3 weeks.