ABSTRACT
Objective To assess the application of intracavitary electrocardiography (IC-ECG) during the insertion of the Groshong peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC).Methods A total of 168 patients (aged 20-76 years) with gynecologic tumors who required the insertion of Groshong PICC because of various clinical conditions between January 2013 and December 2014 were selected into this study in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University.During PICC insertion, the P-wave of IC-ECG helped general judgments about the position and direction of the tip of catheters, hence guiding the intubation.Precise position was determined by Xray following the fastening of catheters, based on which the accuracy and sensitivity of IC-ECG in the insertion of Groshong PICC were evaluated.Results All the cases presented typical changes of P-wave.However, 15 cases exhibited no such alternations in the first placement however deep or shallow the catheters were, in whom the typical P-wave was induced after withdrawal and replacement of the catheters with adjustment of patient position.According to the X-ray (gold standard), the accuracy and sensitivity of IC-ECG in diagnosing position of tip in the superior vena cava (SVC) were 98.8％ and 98.8％, respectively.The accuracy of diagnosing the position at the optimum location in the SVC reached 97.0％.Conclusions A high peaked P-wave of similar shape could be observed in IC-ECG in the insertion of Groshong PICC.IC-ECG could remarkably increase the positioning accuracy of PICC tip into the SVC;meanwhile, the optimal inserted length of the catheters could be determined by monitoring the changes of the P-wave with IC-ECG during insertion.
ABSTRACT
[Objective]It is important for students to learn in school education how to prevent medical accidents caused by deep insertion of a needle. Also, it is essential in safe acupuncture treatment that students are always reminded there are individual variations in subcutaneous structure and to confirm the position of the needle tip in the subcutaneous tissue. To recognize the acupuncture needle tip, muscle twitch induced by electrical stimulation through the acupuncture needle tip was felt with fingers of training students. <BR>[Methods]To prevent accidental pneumothorax, acupuncture training was performed in the upper and lower extremities. After the class, we conducted a questionnaire investigation with the students.<BR>[Result]As the result, students realized that the position of the needle tip which they assumed is different from the real position in subcutaneous tissue.<BR>[Discussion]Without knowing the precise position of the acupuncture needle tip, a desirable effect is not provided, and furthermore, a medical accident may be caused. It is important to confirm the position of the acupuncture needle tip with consideration to individual variation for safe and effective acupuncture treatment. <BR>[Conclusion]We concluded that the skill to prick and insert the acupuncture needle to the correct position is so important in preventing medical accidents that training to learn correct needle tip position should be given in acupuncture education.