[The complications of the subclavian vein catheter and their prevention].

The subclavian vein catheter as approach to vena cava in emergency cases and intensive care is today approved. However, it is loaded with some troublesome complications. The most important are such in consequence of incorrect puncture like lesions of the pleura or the subclavian artery, complications by catheter embolism, air embolus or thrombosis or infection. Cause and frequency of these complications and possibilities to avoid them are demonstrated. Finally a new set for cannulation and catheterisation of the subclavian vein is presented, which considers the risk of this method in the best way. The advantages of the subclavian catheter in catheterisation of the vena cava are proved. But on account of the demonstrated complications it must be strictly limited to certain indications.