[Field 6. Safety practices for haemodynamic procedures (administration of vasoactive drugs, vascular and cardiac catheterization). French-speaking Society of Intensive Care. French Society of Anesthesia and Resuscitation].

Arterial and central venous catheterizations and their use for continuous infusion of vasoactive drugs could lead to serious adverses events that could be life threatening. The incidence of human errors related patient adverses events could be decreased by the uses of algorithms and procedures. Concerning the continuous infusion of vasoactive drugs, the name of drug and its concentration should be clearly notified. The use of modern pump and noncompliant pipe could reduce the frequency bolus infusion and their related haemodynamic alterations. Reasonable procedure could reduce the arterial and central venous catheters related complications. Subclavian and radial sites should be preferred for central venous and arterial catheter insertion, respectively. The use of real time echographic guidance could facilitate the catheter insertion. These catheters should be removed when they are not indicated. Concerning the pulmonary artery catheter, the balloon tip should be inflated with visual control of the pulmonary artery pressure. Its removal is recommended within the first five days.