Bedside prediction of the central venous catheter insertion depth

BACKGROUND: The carina level has been shown to be near the pericardial reflectionand can easily be identified as a landmark on a routine chestradiography. The purpose of this study was to reveal a simplemethod to predict the adequate central venous catheter (CVC)depth, hereby facilitating safe positioning of the CVC tip. METHODS: Central venous catheterization was performed via the right internaljugular vein (IJV) or the right subclavian vein (SCV). The CVCwas placed at a depth derived by adding the length between theneedle insertion point and the clavicular notch and the verticallength between the clavicular notch and the carina on the chestradiograph. The distance between the CVC tip and the carinawas measured on the postoperative chest radiograph. RESULTS: The tip position of 100 CVCs placed via the right IJV was 0.1(1.1) cm [mean (SD)] below the carina (95% CI: 0.3 cm belowcarina–0.2 cm above carina) and the tip positionof 153 CVCs placed via the right SCV was 0.0 (1.2) cm [mean(SD)] below the carina (95% CI: 0.2 cm below carina–0.2 cmabove carina). There were nine outliers (two in IJV group andseven in SCV group). CONCLUSIONS: When CVCs are inserted to a depth derived by adding the lengthbetween the needle insertion point and the clavicular notchand the vertical length between the clavicular notch and thecarina, the CVC tip can be reliably placed near the carina level.     

Indications for the insertion of a central venous catheter in emergency situations

The use of a central venous catheter (CVC) is associated with numerous complications despite its usefulness. Less experienced personnel have a higher complication rate, however complications are not totally avoidable even for more experienced persons. The complication rate increases under unfavorable working conditions. Therefore, the indication for a CVC even in the emergency situation must be considered very carefully.     

The middle thyroid vein: an alternate route for central venous catheter insertion

The technique for using the middle thyroid vein to insert infant central venous nutrition catheters is described. The middle thyroid vein is an alternate route of access to the central circulation when attempts to insert a central catheter through the external jugular vein are unsuccessful. Seventy percent of infants (11:16) had successful cannulations of their central venous circulation through the middle thyroid vein.     

Routine chest roentgenogram after central venous catheter insertion is not always necessary

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the usefulness of routine radiologic control after the insertion of a central venous catheter as a tool that might modify treatment of patients. METHODS: A prospective study was made of 149 patients submitted to central venous catheter insertion. RESULTS: In 55% of the patients the roentgenogram showed an adequate placement of the catheter tip and in 3.6% it showed some abnormal finding. Ten modifications were carried out based on the radiologic results. The prolonged partial thromboplastin time value and the subjective degree of difficulty showed a statistical relation to the appearance of complications. The number of punctures above one related to abnormal radiologic findings. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that routine chest radiology after the insertion of a central venous catheter is not always necessary and that it should be ordered selectively, according to the findings made during the procedure and the subjective degree of difficulty.     

Modified central venous catheter for pneumothorax

Pneumothorax frequently requires drainage, and many thoracic surgeons continue to use the traditional rigid chest tubes. Traditional tube thoracostomy using a large-bore tube is an essential technique for thoracic surgeons, but it is associated with significant pain at the time of insertion and during continued drainage. We have found a new small-bore, flexible thoracostomy method using a modified central venous catheter that is simple, less painful, and safe.     

Simple,rapid method for insertion of a Swan-Ganz catheter using an existing central venous or Swan-Ganz catheter

A method is described for simple, rapid Swan-Ganz catheter insertion. In addition, a new technique for replacement of Swan-Ganz catheters without the need for additional venipuncture is presented.