Korean J Anesthesiol.  1985 Jun;18(2):188-191.

Hemothorax Resulting from Subclavisn Vein Catheterization

• Chung HK
• Jeon JK

Abstract

Serious complications from subelavian vein cannulation have been reported, i.e., pneumothorax, hydrothorax, hemothorax and catheter embolism, etc. A 42 year old female with a diagnosis of septic cholangitis was catheterised in the right subclavian vein by the supraclavicular approach for the measurement of CP and on the 3rd day of admission and developed a hemothorax subsequently. She had a cholecystectomy on the 4th day. Aensthesia was induced with the injection of pentothal and succinylcholine through the CVP line and was maintained with Ethrane. Her vital signs were not stable during the surgery as well as post-operatively. She also was not able to breathe by herself so that her respiration was assisted with a MA-J respirator. On the 2nd post-operative day, blood gases suggested respiratory failure and a chest P-A showed right pleural effusion. A chest tube was then inserted and about 3,200ml of blood was drained. She recovered from the hemothorax and superimposed pneumonia with intensive respiratory care for 20 days.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Catheterization*
Catheters*
Chest Tubes
Cholangitis
Cholecystectomy
Diagnosis
Embolism
Enflurane
Female
Gases
Hemothorax*
Humans
Hydrothorax
Pleural Effusion
Pneumonia
Pneumothorax
Respiration
Respiratory Insufficiency
Subclavian Vein
Succinylcholine
Thiopental
Thorax
Veins*
Ventilators, Mechanical
Vital Signs
Enflurane
Gases
Succinylcholine
Thiopental