ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the preventive measures and the treatment of complications associated with the use of central venous lines, arterial lines, intracerebral pressure monitors, gastric tubes, and thoracostomy tubes. The ability of the practitioner to care for the critically ill patient is closely associated with the types and functions of the many invasive and noninvasive devices that can be utilized in the intensive care unit (ICU). The radial, brachial, dorsal pedal, and femoral arteries can be safely cannulated for invasive blood pressure monitoring and frequent blood draws. Invasive devices, such as lines and tubes, have increased the ability of the practitioner to care for critically ill patients in the ICU. The increasing complexity of the ICU has paralleled the development and increased use of central venous catheterization (CVC). The CVC has become a mainstay in the ICU; several million devices are used annually. CVC devices are a common source for bacterial nosocomial infections in the ICU setting.
