Which of the following is a common cause of CVAD catheter occlusion?

• A. Clamped or kinked catheter
• B. Excessive saline flush
• C. Too many lumens
• D. Bending at insertion site

Answer: (A)

Mechanical obstruction is a common reason a CVAD lumen stops flowing. When the catheter is clamped or kinked, the internal channel is physically blocked, so no fluid can pass even if you try to flush. Releasing the clamp or straightening a kinked catheter often restores patency quickly because the lumen is simply being compressed or closed off.

Other options don’t typically cause an occlusion on their own. Flushing with saline doesn’t block flow and is used to keep the line open; having more lumens increases complexity and potential problems but isn’t a direct occlusion by itself; bending at the insertion site can contribute if it creates a kink, but the immediate, most common mechanical issue you’ll see is a clamp that’s left on or a kink in the catheter or tubing.