Management of central venous catheter occlusions and repairs.

Central venous catheter (CVC) occlusions have the potential of compromising patient care because of the inability to administer needed medications, parenteral nutrition, and blood products. The practitioner responsible for the care of these catheters can be instrumental in the diagnosis and treatment of catheter-related occlusions by becoming familiar with typical complications and their causes. This article describes the causes and possible solutions for some of the most common types of mechanical, thrombus, and precipitate occlusions with the CVC. A discussion of CVC fracture will help the practitioner in the resolution of this complication.