Final answer:
Drawing blood from VADs carries risks such as bloodstream infections, local vessel injuries, and potential blood clots leading to pulmonary embolism, especially in patients with underlying health conditions like heart failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Drawing blood from a vascular access device (VAD) can introduce risks of severe complications. The perils of utilizing such medical interventions include bloodstream infections, which are quite grave due to the risk of severe sepsis and associated mortality. The World Health Organization estimated that there are up to 80,000 catheter-related bloodstream infections each year in the United States, leading to about 20,000 deaths.
Additional hazards include local injuries to the blood vessel, which can result in hemorrhage, and the potential for dislodged blood clots that could cause pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be life-threatening if the circulation to the lungs is obstructed. These risks are particularly high in individuals with pre-existing health conditions, such as heart failure, where complications like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may arise. Preventative measures and meticulous technique in the handling of VADs are crucial for minimizing these dangers.