Abstract:
Central venous catheterization is routinely performed in the intensive care unit to obtain venous access for hemodynamic monitoring, parenteral nutritional support, hemodialysis, and delivery of fluids & vasoactive medications. While central venous catheters can be lifesaving, their insertion is not without risk. Historically, central veins were accessed using landmark-based techniques, but the medical literature strongly supports the use of ultrasound guidance. The purpose of this article is to review the basic principles of real-time ultrasound-guided internal jugular and femoral catheter placement; an approach for incorporating these tools into clinical practice will be presented, along with illustrative figures and video.
Reference:
Millington, S. J., Colvin, M. O., Shiloh, A. L. and Koenig, S. (2020) How I Do It: Ultrasound-guided Internal Jugular and Femoral Central Venous Catheter Insertion. Chest. June 26th. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2020.06.026 (epub ahead of print).