Erratic passage and anchorage of a right subclavian catheter caused by preoccupancy of an indwelling right jugular venous catheter--a case report.

We report a case of central venous catheter (CVC) malposition. Through subclavian approach the CVC tip was intended to anchor in the superior cava, but it turned out to be in the right internal jugular vein as revealed by chest X-ray. The cause of malposition was perhaps the preoccupancy of the jugular venous CVC which interferred with a normal advancement. Although the malposition of the catheter might not produce any immediate problem, later complication might occur. Thus, removal of a problematic catheter and recatheterization was indicated.