Peripheral catheterization

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This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

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## Contents

* 1 Equipment and procedure
* 2 Complications
* 2.1 Infiltration
* 2.2 Bacterial colonization
* 2.3 Phlebitis
* 3 Prevention of complications
* 4 References

In medicine, peripheral catheterization is "insertion of a catheter into a peripheral artery, vein, or airway for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes"[1] such as intravenous infusion of medications or fluid therapy. This is in contrast to central venous catheterization.

## Equipment and procedure[edit]

Intravenous catheterization is most common. An area over a suitable vein is cleaned, and one of two types of catheter insertion devices is used. One uses a large-bore metal needle inside which is a plastic catheter, and the other uses a plastic catheter over a stiffening sharp metal core. Once in the vein, the metal device is removed, the catheter attached to the fluid delivery system, and a sterile adhesive dressing put over the puncture site, both to protect it from infection and to keep the catheter in place.

Ultrasonography may be used to guide catheterization.[2] Successful cannulation may occur with veins that are at least 0.6 cm in diameter and less than 1.6 cm in depth.[2]

## Complications[edit]

Several complications can occur.[3]

### Infiltration[edit]

The most common complication is infiltration of the intravenous infusion into the tissue surrounding the vein. This happens to approximately a third of catheterizations within 3 days.[4] This may be difficult to distinguish from phlebitis.[5]

### Bacterial colonization[edit]

The rate of bacterial colonization is depending on duration of catheterization is:[4]

* 4 days is 1.0%
* 5–9 days is 1.9%
* 10–14 days 3.5%
* 15–19 days is 7.0%
* 20–24 days is 6.0%
* >24 days is 5.7%

### Phlebitis[edit]

Phlebitis occurs in approximately 3% of catheterizations within 3 days.[4] This may be difficult to distinguish from phlebitis.[5] Phlebitis has been defined as "two or more of pain, tenderness, warmth, erythema, swelling, or a palpable cord."[4]

## Prevention of complications[edit]

Routine replacement of peripheral catheterization every three days has similar complications to only replacing when complications occur.[6][7]

## References[edit]

1. ↑ Anonymous (2025), Peripheral catheterization (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Panebianco NL, Fredette JM, Szyld D, Sagalyn EB, Pines JM, Dean AJ (2009). "What you see (sonographically) is what you get: vein and patient characteristics associated with successful ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous placement in patients with difficult access.". Acad Emerg Med 16 (12): 1298-303. DOI:10.1111/j.1553-2712.2009.00520.x. PMID 19912132. Research Blogging.
3. ↑ Bregenzer T, Conen D, Sakmann P, Widmer AF (January 1998). "Is routine replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters necessary?". Arch. Intern. Med. 158 (2): 151–6. PMID 9448553. [e]
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Khalifa R, Dahyot-Fizelier C, Laksiri L, et al (October 2008). "Indwelling time and risk of colonization of peripheral arterial catheters in critically ill patients". Intensive Care Med 34 (10): 1820–6. DOI:10.1007/s00134-008-1139-z. PMID 18483721. Research Blogging.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Wright A, Hecker J (August 1991). "Infusion failure caused by phlebitis and extravasation". Clin Pharm 10 (8): 630–4. PMID 1934920. [e]
6. ↑ Webster J, Osborne S, Rickard C, Hall J (2010). "Clinically-indicated replacement versus routine replacement of peripheral venous catheters.". Cochrane Database Syst Rev 3: CD007798. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD007798.pub2. PMID 20238356. Research Blogging.
7. ↑ Webster J, Clarke S, Paterson D, et al (2008). "Routine care of peripheral intravenous catheters versus clinically indicated replacement: randomised controlled trial". BMJ 337: a339. PMID 18614482. PMC 2483870. [e]