Retrospective Observational Single-Center Study of Complications of Arterial Indwelling Catheters for Invasive Blood Pressure in Intensive Care Unit Patients

This study aimed to analyze the incidence of complications resulting from the use of an indwelling arterial catheter (IAC). We compared the characteristics of the patients with an IAC who developed complications with those who did not present any complications. The study included 1,869 patients with an IAC hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs) between 2017 and 2018. Most patients were male (58.7%), in the seventh decade of life, and had systemic arterial hypertension. The most common site of IAC implantation was the radial artery. Fifty-four (2.88%) cases of complications related to an IAC were identified including bleeding, hematomas, and thrombosis. Female patients had a higher risk of complications ( P = .030). Comorbidities such as arrhythmias ( P < .001) and peripheral arterial disease ( P = .041) also increased that risk. The use of vasoactive drugs ( P = .001), hemodialysis ( P = .001), and orotracheal intubation (OTI) ( P = .001) was significantly associated with the occurrence of complications as well as length of stay in ICUs ( P < .001) and IAC duration ( P = .001). IACs are safe devices commonly used in ICUs, with an incidence of complications of 2.88%.