Diagnosis of central venous access device occlusion. Implications for nursing practice.

Central venous catheters provide reliable access to patients requiring prolonged parenteral therapies. An occluded catheter can impede treatment and hinder medical management of the patient. Early recognition and treatment of a malfunctioning line are paramount for catheter preservation. An understanding of the causes of catheter occlusion and methods to diagnose and treat obstructions will assist the nurse in developing appropriate nursing interventions for catheter treatment. This article reviews causes of central venous catheter obstruction and describes methods for diagnosis and treatment.