Factors related to complications of the invasive blood pressure system among adult and elderly patients: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE

to identify the main factors related to complications of the invasive blood pressure system.

METHOD

prospective study conducted with patients over 18 years of age admitted to intensive care, using a device for measuring invasive blood pressure. Participants were monitored during the catheter dwell-time and sociodemographic, clinical and device data were collected. The outcome analyzed was removal due to non-indication of use or due to complications. Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used for the analyses.

RESULTS

50 participants were included and monitored, and most devices were installed in the radial artery (86%), with a 20-gauge catheter (50%), all with a flexible catheter. Each patient remained, on average, 4.36 days (SD: 3.504) with the device. Regarding the outcomes, 60.0% of the devices were removed due to non-indication of use and 40.0% due to complications. Phlebitis was the most prevalent complication, and pressure in the bag was the factor associated with catheter removal before the time of indication (p=0.046).

CONCLUSION

the main complications associated with this device were obstruction and phlebitis, while pressure in the bag was the factor related to catheter removal before indication.

BACKGROUND

(1) Phlebitis was the most prevalent complication. (2) Pressure in the bag was associated with catheter removal before indication. (3) Length of stay and use of sedation were related to the onset of phlebitis.