[Clinical experiences with central venous multi-lumen catheters].

We retrospectively studied 617 insertions of multilumen-catheters in 570 cardiosurgical patients. Number of catheters, insertion technique, indwelling period, catheter insertion site, specific positions and complications of insertion were evaluated by anesthetic chart and chest x-ray. In most cases the catheters were placed by a percutaneous insertion lock in the right or left v. jugularis interna as main site. Early complications mainly occurred because of incorrect placements. Post-operative radiological control by chest x-ray nearly showed 67% malpositions mainly resulting from the catheter placed not sufficiently far within the insertion lock. Though the catheter initially was placed correctly, it slided back to the insertion lock under mechanical influence on the site of fixation. In only 3 of 617 cases we found a too far inserted catheter. In these cases insertion was made by a Seldinger guidewire after direct venipuncture.