A Randomized Trial of Ultrasound Image-based Skin Surface Marking versus Real-time Ultrasound-guided Internal Jugular Vein Catheterization in Infants

Background: Ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization has been recommended to increase the procedural success rate and enhance patient safety. However, few studies have examined the potential advantages of one ultrasound technique with another, specifically in small infants.

Methods: The authors randomly assigned 60 neonates and infants weighing less than 7.5 kg to an ultrasound-guided skin-marking method (n = 27) versus real-time ultrasound-assisted internal jugular venous catheterization (n = 33). The times to successful puncture of the internal jugular vein and to catheterization were measured. Attempts at needle punctures for successful catheterization were counted. Procedural complications were recorded.

Results: In the real-time group, compared with the skin- marking group, venous puncture was completed faster (P = 0.03), the time required to catheterize was shorter (P < 0.01), and fewer needle passes were needed. Specifically, fewer than three attempts at puncture were made in 100% of patients in the real-time group, versus 74% of patients in the skin-marking group (P < 0.01). A hematoma and an arterial puncture occurred in one patient each in the skin-marking group.     

A randomized study of a new landmark-guided vs traditional para-carotid approach in internal jugular venous cannulation in infants

Background: Central venous catheterization is more difficult in infants than in adults. Ultrasound‐guided internal jugular venous cannulation may improve the accuracy of localization of the internal jugular vein (IJV), but ultrasound equipment is not universally available. The landmark technique remains essential in daily practice. Methods: One hundred and forty infants, aged 3–12 months, who were scheduled to undergo surgery for congenital heart disease, were randomly assigned to a new landmark‐guided group or traditional para‐carotid group. In the new landmark‐guided group, at the level of the cricoid cartilage, the carotid artery was marked, and the apex of the triangle formed by the two heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the clavicle was also marked. The needle was inserted at the midpoint of the two marked points and advanced in the direction of the ipsilateral nipple. Seven cardiac anesthesia fellows participated in this study, and each fellow performed 10 central catheterizations in each group. The times to successful catheterization of the IJV were measured. Attempts at needle punctures for successful catheterization and procedural complications were counted. Results: The IJV was successfully punctured within three attempts in 74% of infants in the para‐carotid group, compared with 94% in the new landmark‐guided group (P = 0.001). The time to successful catheterization was significantly shorter in the new landmark‐guided group (P < 0.01). The incidence of arterial punctures in the para‐carotid group was 11%, compared with 3% in the new landmark‐guided group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Compared with traditional para‐carotid approach, the new landmark‐guided approach for access of the IJV during teaching central catheterization significantly reduced carotid arterial puncture, provided a higher success rate and minimized procedure time in infants aged 3–12 months.     

Zentrale Venenkatheter bei Neugeborenen, Säuglingen und Kindern

In neonates, infants and young children central venous catheters are of vital importance during surgery as well as postoperative care. The benefit of ultrasonography seems to be very important for vascular access of the internal jugular (IJV), subclavian (SCV), femoral and even peripheral veins. Ultrasound-guided cannulation of the IJV increases the success rate, reduces the time to the successful puncture and decreases the inadvertent puncture of the carotid artery in children in comparison to the landmark-guided technique. Due to compression of the vessel by the approaching needle in neonates transfixing the vein and aspirating blood on withdrawal of the needle may be the preferred technique. The lack of space may prevent ultrasound-guided puncture of the SCV in very low birth weight infants. However, the location of the vein and its patency should always be determined via ultrasound prior to cannulation. After catheterization of the SCV the homolateral IJV is screened by the use of ultrasound to detect wrong guide wire migration. A clear and rapid visualization of visceral pleura movement against the parietal pleura during respiration via ultrasound indicates the absence of pneumothorax after cannulation. In the case of haemodynamic instability, ultrasound should be used to exclude pericardial effusion.     

The use of ultrasound for the placement of dialysis catheters

Background: The jugular vein should be preferred to the subclavian vein for the placement of dialysis catheters since subclavian catheters result in a high incidence (up to 50%) of subclavian-vein thromboses. Method: We conducted a prospective, randomized study between July 1996 and March 1997 to find out whether through the use of ultrasound, the rate of unsuccessful attempts in puncturing the internal jugular vein could be reduced. Seventy-three internal jugular vein cannulations were performed on 65 patients, using the guide-wire technique (according to Seldinger). Two groups were formed randomly by lot: in the first group the position of the internal jugular vein was marked on the skin by the use of ultrasound (Picker CS9100, Convex 3.5 MHZ) before disinfection and local anaesthesia took place. The puncture was performed according to this mark. In the second group, the internal jugular vein was cannulated with real-time ultrasound guidance on the monitor. Any withdrawal of the needle with a consecutive forward movement was judged as an unsuccessful attempt, whether or not a second skin puncture was performed. Result: Thirty-seven punctures of the internal jugular vein with a skin mark determined by ultrasound yielded 87 unsuccessful attempts. Thirty-six punctures with real-time ultrasound guidance resulted in 10 unsuccessful attempts (P<0.01). The time from the beginning of the local anaesthesia to successful puncture was 4.8±2.2 min in the first group compared to 3.4±0.9 min in the second group (P<0.01). The cross-section of the internal jugular vein in the first group was 1.7±0.8 cm² versus 1.5±0.8 cm² in the second group (not significant). Neither of the two methods caused any complications. Conclusion: The puncture of the internal jugular vein with real-time ultrasound guidance resulted in significantly fewer unsuccessful attempts of venepuncture without requiring additional time.     

不同超声引导平面技术在颈内静脉穿刺置管术中的临床应用

目的比较长轴平面、短轴平面和斜轴平面超声引导下颈内静脉穿刺置管的临床效果,探讨最佳的穿刺引导平面。方法选择昆明医科大学第一附属医院急救医学部EICU收治的患者180例,男94例,女86例,年龄34~82岁,按前瞻性随机试验方法分为短轴平面组、长轴平面组和斜轴平面组,每组60例。在超声引导下使用三种不同的引导平面行颈内静脉置管术,记录三组刺入目标血管时间、总穿刺时间、穿刺针进针改变方向的次数、穿刺点数量和置管成功率。记录三组颈内静脉置管的并发症(气胸、血肿和误穿动脉)。结果三组患者均顺利完成超声引导下颈内静脉穿刺置管术。短轴平面组和斜轴平面组刺入目标血管时间和总穿刺时间明显短于长轴平面组,斜轴平面组刺入目标血管时间和总穿刺时间明显短于短轴平面组(P0.05);三组穿刺点数量差异无统计学意义;短轴平面组进针改变方向次数最多,斜轴平面组进针改变方向次数最少(P0.05);斜轴平面组误穿动脉发生率明显低于长轴平面组和短轴平面组(P0.05),三组均未发生气胸、血胸。结论与长轴平面和短轴平面比较,使用斜轴平面行颈内静脉穿刺置管术可降低危重患者行颈内静脉穿刺置管术中误穿颈总动脉的风险和缩短穿刺时间,是安全而有效的超声引导下颈内静脉穿刺路径。     

Real-time ultrasound and endocavitary electrocardiography for venous catheter placement

The authors report on their experience with internal jugular vein catheterization with temporary and tunnelled cuffed hemodialysis catheters in 527 patients from 1991 to 2001, using ultrasound guidance and monitoring of catheter placement by endocavitary electrocardiography. The incidence of successful puncture and cannulation using ultrasound was 99.62%. The majority of patients had catheters inserted on the first pass (93%) and fewer attempts were required (range, 2 to 5). In the first year of the procedure in 1991, we observed two cases of accidental puncture of the carotid artery because of an error in ultrasound localization of the neck vessel. Arrhythmias were not observed during this procedure. Right atrial electrocardiography was successful on 504 occasions (96.83%), and correct catheter placement was confirmed by plain chest-X-ray in the first 100 patients. The results confirm that real-time ultrasound guidance for catheter insertion is superior to tradi-tional techniques relying on anatomic landmarks and should be adopted as the standard of care. Ultrasound guidance and EC-ECG improves both the success and the safety of internal jugular catheter insertion. The authors propose that EC-ECG be validated as a technique in compliance with recent Food and Drug Ad-ministration guidelines regarding the location of central venous catheter tips.     

A randomized controlled clinical trial of real-time needle-guided ultrasound for internal jugular venous cannulation in a large university anesthesia department

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate needle-guided ultrasound for internal jugular venous cannulation in a large university anesthesia department, to determine cumulative cannulation success by method, to determine first-pass cannulation success by method and operator, and to determine arterial puncture by method and operator. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, observational, and randomized. Blinding was not possible. Cohort size was calculated for 80% power to detect a technique difference, with significance defined as p < 0.05. SETTING: Operating rooms of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. PARTICIPANTS: Elective surgical patients requiring internal jugular venous cannulation. INTERVENTIONS: Cannulation of the internal jugular vein occurred by needle-guided ultrasound (NGU) or by ultrasound without a needle guide. MAIN RESULTS: Four hundred thirty-four procedures were studied in 429 patients. NGU significantly enhances cannulation success after first (68.9%-80.9%, p = 0.0054) and second (80.0%-93.1%, p = 0.0001) needle passes. Cumulative cannulation success by the seventh needle pass is 100%, regardless of technique. The needle-guide specifically improves first-pass success in the junior operator (65.6%-79.8%, p = 0.0144). Arterial puncture averages 4.2%, regardless of technique (p > 0.05) or operator (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the needle guide facilitates prompt cannulation with ultrasound in the novice operator, it offers no additional protection against arterial puncture. This may be because of a lack of control of needle depth rather than needle direction. A possible solution may be biplanar ultrasound for central venous cannulation.     

高频彩色多普勒超声引导直视下右颈内静脉穿刺置管术

目的评估高频彩色多普勒超声引导直视下右颈内静脉穿刺置管术的应用效果。方法在高频彩色多普勒超声实时引导及监测下,对64例尿毒症患者行右颈内静脉双腔导管置入术,将其分为直视组（36例）和对照组（28例,带穿刺架）,对比两组的穿刺效果。结果试验组与对照组一次成功率分别为94.44%和96.43%（P〉0.05,差异无统计学意义）。所有患者未出现误穿颈动脉、气胸等并发症。结论高频彩色多普勒超声引导直视下行右颈内静脉穿刺置管术安全、简便、有效。     

The accuracy of the central landmark used for central venous catheterization of the internal jugular vein

We simulated needle paths based on the central landmark used for central venous catheterization of the internal jugular vein. We obtained ultrasound images to quantify the landmark's accuracy (precision and bias) in 107 subjects placed in Trendelenburg position with their heads turned 30-35 degrees. We also determined the frequency of simulated carotid artery puncture. The simulated needle path missed the middle 80% of the lumen of the internal jugular vein in 34% of subjects (95% confidence interval [CI], 25% to 44%) and traversed the carotid artery in 26% of subjects (95% CI, 18% to 35%). Both events occurred in 20% of subjects (95% CI, 13%-29%). The landmark had a medial bias of 3.7 mm (95% CI, 2.7 to 4.8); it was more often (77 of 104 subjects) medial to the center of the right internal jugular vein (P < 0.001). The landmark was more likely to miss the internal jugular vein (odds ratio, 3.11; P < 0.016) and intersect the carotid (odds ratio, 3.03; P < 0.024) in obese patients. The central landmark should not be expected to yield frequent success on first needle pass without risk of carotid puncture because of its imprecision and bias. The measured bias should be considered when the central landmark is used for central venous catheterization.     

An outcome study on complications using routine ultrasound assistance for internal jugular vein cannulation

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound guidance for central venous cannulation is advised by recent guidelines, but is not being applied in everyday practice. The purpose of this study was to determine the reduction in complications when applying an ultrasound locating device for internal jugular vein catheterization. METHODS: An observational study was conducted from November 2004 to October 2005 in a tertiary neurosurgical hospital on 300 patients undergoing internal jugular vein cannulation using an ultrasound technique. Patients were not randomized and operators were trained using theoretical and practical courses. Prior to the study, the investigators, who were consultant anaesthesiologists, had to perform at least 20 successful supervised cannulations. RESULTS: Cannulation was successful in all cases. The incidence of arterial puncture was 2.7%, and multiple venous punctures represented the main minor complication (14%). Bivariate analysis of the overall complications revealed no significant correlation with age group, American Society of Anesthesiologists' (ASA) classification, body mass index, or position and diameter of the vein. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound cannulation of the internal jugular vein minimized complications. These could be avoided when new ultrasound probes and specific needles are introduced.     

Ultrasound-guided internal jugular venous cannulation in infants: a prospective comparison with the traditional palpation method.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous cannulation of the internal jugular vein in infants is technically more difficult and carries a higher risk of carotid artery puncture than in older children and adults. In this prospective study, the authors tested their hypothesis that using an ultrasound scanner would increase the success of internal jugular cannulation and decrease the incidence of carotid artery puncture in infants. METHODS: After approval from the institutional review board and receipt of written informed parental consent, 95 infants scheduled for cardiac surgery were randomized prospectively into two groups. In the landmarks group, the patients' internal jugular veins were cannulated using the traditional method of palpation of carotid pulsation and identification of other anatomic landmarks. In the ultrasound group, cannulation was guided using an ultrasound scanner image. The cannulation time, number of attempts, success rate, and incidence of complications were compared for the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to weight, age, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification. The success rate was 100% in the ultrasound group, with no carotid artery punctures, and 77% in the landmarks group, with a 25% incidence of carotid artery punctures. Both differences were significant (P > 0.0004). The cannulation time was less, the number of attempts was fewer, and the failure rate was significantly lower in the ultrasound group than in the landmark group. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic localization of the internal jugular vein was superior to the landmarks technique in terms of overall success, speed, and decreased incidence of carotid artery puncture.     

USE OF ULTRASOUND TO EVALUATE INTERNAL JUGULAR VEIN ANATOMY AND TO FACILITATE CENTRAL VENOUS CANNULATION IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Percutaneous cannulation of the internal jugular vein in paediatricpatients may be technically difficult and is prone to complications.To investigate the possibility that anatomical factors contributeto these difficulties, we used a two-dimensional ultrasoundscanner to examine venous anatomy in children aged up to 6 yr.We found that 18% of our children had anomalous venous anatomythat may account for some of the difficulties reported previously.The diameter of the internal jugular vein was predicted poorlyby the patient's age (r2= 0.259) or weight (x2 = 0.155). Wealso evaluated the use of this ultrasound scanner during percutaneouscentral venous cannulation in neonates and infants. Determiningthe course of the internal jugular vein with the scanner andthen marking it on the overlying skin reduced both the timeand number of needle insertions required to aspirate jugularvenous blood and increased the chance of a complication-freecannulation. (Br. J. Anaesth. 1993; 70: 145–148)      

Central venous catheterization in infants and children--small caliber audio-Doppler probe versus ultrasound scanner

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound guidance for cannulation of the internal jugular vein has been shown to increase the success rate and reduce the incidence of complications in infants and children. We compared the use of a small caliber audio-Doppler probe with an ultrasound scanner for cannulation of a central venous (CV) line via the right internal jugular vein in infants and children. METHODS: Fifty-two infants and 29 children scheduled for open-heart surgery were enrolled. Cannulation was guided using a small caliber audio-Doppler probe (the AU group, n = 42), or an ultrasound scanner image (the US group, n = 39). Ultimate success rate, success rate at the first attempt, success rate within 5 min, and complications were compared for the two groups. RESULTS: In children (>12 months), both methods were equally efficient. But in infants (<12 months), success rate at the first attempt using audio-Doppler was worse than the rate using an ultrasound scanner and there were more complications when audio-Doppler was used. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that application of both the audio-Doppler and the ultrasound scanner is useful in children over 1 year of age for access to the internal jugular vein. However, in infants and neonates, the ultrasound scanner would be more useful than the audio-Doppler.     

Ultrasound-guided Internal Jugular Venous Cannulation in Infants: A Prospective Comparison with the Traditional Palpation Method

Background: Percutaneous cannulation of the internal jugular vein in infants is technically more difficult and carries a higher risk of carotid artery puncture than in older children and adults. In this prospective study, the authors tested their hypothesis that using an ultrasound scanner would increase the success of internal jugular cannulation and decrease the incidence of carotid artery puncture in infants.

Methods: After approval from the institutional review board and receipt of written informed parental consent, 95 infants scheduled for cardiac surgery were randomized prospectively into two groups. In the landmarks group, the patients' internal jugular veins were cannulated using the traditional method of palpation of carotid pulsation and identification of other anatomic landmarks. In the ultrasound group, cannulation was guided using an ultrasound scanner image. The cannulation time, number of attempts, success rate, and incidence of complications were compared for the two groups.

Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to weight, age, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification. The success rate was 100% in the ultrasound group, with no carotid artery punctures, and 77% in the landmarks group, with a 25% incidence of carotid artery punctures. Both differences were significant (P > 0.0004). The cannulation time was less, the number of attempts was fewer, and the failure rate was significantly lower in the ultrasound group than in the landmark group.     

特殊体位患者颈内静脉置管策略

目的探讨特殊体位患者行颈内静脉置管的可行性和临床效果。方法对47例特殊体位(被动体位9例,强迫体位38例)下行颈内静脉置管的患者作好物品与患者准备,根据不同体位确定穿刺步骤和固定导管。结果 47例颈内静脉置管均成功,其中一次置管成功38例。中心静脉置管留置4~151d,中位数22d。留置过程中无与置管相关的不良反应或并发症发生。结论对特殊体位患者行颈内静脉置管需重视各操作环节,尤其是穿刺点定位、穿刺方向、穿刺深度及角度,以提高置管成功率,减少置管相关并发症的发生。     

A prospective randomized study to compare ultrasound-guided with nonultrasound-guided double lumen internal jugular catheter insertion as a temporary hemodialysis access

Internal jugular venous catheters (IJVC) for hemodialysis are a commonly employed temporary vascular access for hemodialysis. Most hospitals still follow the use of blind technique, which uses anatomical landmarks. Even in the most experienced hands this procedure has a variable success rate. Ultrasound guidance can decrease the incidence of periprocedural complications and improve the success rate. In this randomized study we compared the procedure success rate and periprocedural complications in patients undergoing ultrasound guided vs. nonultrasound guided IJVC insertion for a temporary hemodialysis access. METHODS: All patients subjected to insertion of an IJVC between March 2004 and June 2004 were enrolled into the study, randomized to either the blind (group A) or ultrasound guided (group B) procedure, which uses a portable ordinary ultrasound machine without a needle guide. The aseptic Saldinger technique was used for catheterization in both the groups. Baseline characteristics of patient and periprocedural events were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were randomized, 30 patients each in two groups. First attempt venous cannulation success rate was 56.7% in group A compared to 86.7% in group B. Chance of occurrence of adverse outcome was significantly more in the blind procedure (P=0.020). A post-procedure chest radiograph done in all patient showed no complications. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound guided procedure for internal jugular vein catheter insertion using an ordinary ultrasound machine was significantly safer and more successful as compared to the blind technique.     

Real-time ultrasound guided placement of temporary internal jugular vein catheters: Assessment of technical success and complication rates in nephrology practice

Aim: Internal jugular vein (IJV) catheterization is often required to gain access for haemodialysis. Use of ultrasound guidance has reduced the complication rates of this procedure. We hypothesized that nephrologists may perform IJV cannulation with a high technical success and low immediate complication rates under real-time ultrasound guidance. Methods: We prospectively analyzed 323 patients (186 male, 137 female) who underwent IJV cannulation with real-time ultrasound guidance. The number of needle punctures, technical success, the time between injection of local anaesthetic and entry into the IJV, and immediate complications were recorded. Patients with a history of multiple catheter insertions, previous difficulties during catheterization, poor compliance, obesity, impaired consciousness, skeletal deformity, disorder of haemostasis were regarded as high-risk group. Results: Cannulation of IJV was achieved in all patients. Of the 323 catheters, 125 (38.7%) were placed in high-risk patients. Average number of puncture was 1.26 (range, 1-4). IJV was entered on the first attempt in 261 (80.8%) patients. Only ten complications (10/323, 3.2%) developed; five (2.5%) in the normal-risk group, and five (4.0%) in the high-risk group. Cannulation of IJV took a longer time in the high-risk group than in the normal-risk group. The number of needle punctures, percent of successful cannulation on the first attempt, and the frequency of complications were similar between the high- and normal-risk groups. Conclusions: Cannulation of IJV under real-time ultrasound guidance is very safe with high technical success rates. Nephrologists can use this technique with ease and with minimal complications in normal- and high-risk patients.     

Internal jugular vein cannulation guided by ultrasonography in pediatric patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheterization is essential for the anesthetic management of operations for congenital heart diseases. We prospectively examined the usefulness of ultrasonography in internal jugular vein catheterization in infants. METHODS: Internal jugular vein cannulation was guided using an ultrasound image scanner in 96 pediatric cardiac patients. We investigated the rate of successful catheterizations, the number of attempts, the time from venipuncture to wire insertion, and the laterality of internal jugular vein diameters. RESULTS: The success rate in all 96 patients was 95.8% with no carotid artery puncture. Patients younger than 12 month of age had success rates of 90%. In patients younger than 1 month of age and with weights less than 3.4 kg, the success rate was 76.9%. The time from venipuncture to proper wire insertion in the first attempt (55.2%) was 50.8+/-18.9s; 157.3 +/-56.4s for second attempt (18.8%) ; 285.7+/-165.7s for third attempt (7.6%) ; 346.0+/-98.4s for fourth attempt (5.5%) : and 510.0+/-98.4s for fifth attempt (2.1%). The time requited was 1404.5+/-518.4s for attempts that required more than seven passes. Cannulations in four cases were unsuccessful because the image of the internal jugular vein was difficult to visualize. The left internal jugular vein diameter was larger than the right in 40 cases. In three unsuccessful cases, the diameter was less than 4.5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Internal jugular vein cannulation guided by ultrasonography can be performed safely and quickly in pediatric patients.     

Audio-Doppler guidance using a small-caliber Doppler probe for internal jugular venous puncture for central venous catheterization in infants and children

BACKGROUND: We evaluated an audio-Doppler with a small-caliber probe as a guide for central venous cannulation (CVC) via the internal jugular vein (IJV) in infants and children. METHODS: The right IJV was located with a small-caliber (2.0 mm in diameter) audio-Doppler probe using 10 MHz ultrasound. The probe was placed on the neck about the level of sixth cervical vertebra and was moved until the crisp pulsatile sound of the carotid artery was identified. Then the probe was moved laterally to identify the low-pitched venous hum of the right IJV. After marking the puncture site on the skin, a sterile cannulation procedure was performed. Ultimate success rate, cannulation time < 10 min, successful cannulation within three punctures, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Ultimate success rate was 65.6% (42/64) in infants (< 12 m), and 94.7% (72/76) in children (12 m or older). Cannulation time < 10 min was 48.4% in infants, and 85.5% in children. Successful cannulation within three punctures was 45.3% in infants and 82.8% in children. Three carotid arterial punctures occurred. CONCLUSIONS: We were not able to demonstrate absolute superiority of the results utilizing this device over the reported results of traditional landmark techniques for CVC via the right IJV. However, this device may contribute to reducing complications and be of value in teaching residents where to insert a needle for an internal jugular puncture.