Subclavian vs Femoral Catheterization in the Critically Ill

A study has found that femoral venous catheterization is associated with a greater risk of infectious and thrombotic complications than subclavian catheterization in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The study, conducted by French researchers, was published in the August 8, 2001, issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

The researchers compared the mechanical, infectious, and thrombotic complications of both femoral and subclavian venous catheterization in a concealed, randomized clinical trial at eight ICUs in France, involving 289 patients receiving a first central venous catheter. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo central venous catheterization or subclavian catheterization.

The researchers found that femoral catheterization was associated both with a higher incidence rate of overall infectious complications as well as of overall thrombotic complications. Rates of mechanical complications were similar between the two groups.
The researchers note that antibiotic administration via the catheter decreased the risk of infectious complications.