The CVP catheter: an invasive therapeutic adjunct.

Invasive techniques continue to be used in monitoring and treating the critically ill patient in spite of preference for, and increasing use of, non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques. With or without simultaneous determination of left ventricular filling pressure, the central venous pressure (CVP) catheter is widely used for gaining access to the right heart, determining right ventricular filling pressure, and for rapid infusion of fluids or medications. Even in expert hands the insertion of the CVP line is occasionally followed by complications that may require therapeutic interventions of varying degrees of severity. The possible hazards from this simple and often necessary therapeutic adjunct call for a systematic informed-consent approach which is often neglected despite its relevance in today's clinical practice. The data presented are typical of a standard teaching hospital experience. Securing informed consent for CVP catheter insertion is encouraged.