Confirmation of internal jugular guide wire position utilizing transesophageal echocardiography

Practice Guidelines for Central Venous Access 2020

These practice guidelines update the Practice Guidelines for Central Venous Access: A Report by the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Central Venous Access, adopted by the American Society of Anesthesiologists in 2011 and published in 2012. These updated guidelines are intended for use by anesthesiologists and individuals under the supervision of an anesthesiologist and may also serve as a resource for other physicians, nurses, or healthcare providers who manage patients with central venous catheters.

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Misplaced central venous catheter in the jugular venous arch exposed during dissection before sternotomy

Subclavian vein catheterization rarely results in misplacement of the central venous catheter (CVC) into the jugular venous arch (JVA). We present a case of misplacement of the CVC into the JVA during cardiac surgery.

The Incidence and Risk of Central Venous Catheter Malpositioning: A Prospective Cohort Study in 1619 Patients

Central venous catheters are used in various hospital wards. An anterior-posterior chest X-ray is usually obtained soon after cannulation to assess the location of the catheter tip. This prospective clinical study was designed to determine the radiographic catheter tip position after central venous cannulation by various routes, to identify clinical problems possibly associated with the use of malpositioned catheters and to make a cost-benefit analysis of routine chest X-ray with respect to catheter malposition. A total 1619 central venous cannulations were recorded during a three-year period with respect to patient data, information about the cannulation procedures, the radiographic catheter positions and complications during clinical use. The total incidence of radiographic catheter tip malposition, defined as extrathoracic or ventricular positioning, was 3.3% (confidence interval 2.5 to 4.3%). Cannulation by the right subclavian vein was associated with the highest risk of malposition, 9.1%, compared with 1.4% by the right internal jugular vein. Six of the 53 malpositioned catheters were removed or adjusted. No case of malposition was associated with vascular perforation, local venous thrombosis or cerebral symptoms. We conclude that the radiographic incidence of central venous catheter malpositioning is low and that clinical use of malpositioned catheters is associated with few complications. However, determination of the catheter position by chest X-ray should be considered when mechanical complications cannot be excluded, aspiration of venous blood is not possible, or the catheter is intended for central venous pressure monitoring, high flow use or infusion of local irritant drugs.