External Jugular Vein Catheterization Using 'Intra-Atrial Electrocardiogram'

PURPOSE: To investigate the reliability of intra-atrial electrocardiogram (ECG) use for external jugular vein (EJV) catheterization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing open heart surgery in Suleyman Demirel University Hospital between February and June 2006 were included in the study. Using a sterile Seldinger technique, a triple lumen polyurethane central venous catheter was introduced (Certofix(R) Trio V 720, length 20 cm, 7 French) under intra-atrial ECG guidance. The presence of an increase in P-wave size was recorded. Just after the surgery, a portable chest X-ray was taken. The method was considered to be successful when a change in P-wave could be seen and the catheter was in the superior vena cava, as well as when there was no change in P-wave and the catheter was not in the superior vena cava. RESULTS: In six patients (12%), we were not able to advance the guidewire. In the remaining 44 patients, the catheter was inserted without problem. Eight of these 44 catheters were positioned in the innominate vein, with a malposition ratio of 18%. The success rate of external jugular vein cannulation with intra-atrial ECG was 95%. No complications occured related to the EJV cannulation. CONCLUSION: Considering that it is easily accessed without complication, and the malposition is successfully detected by intra-atrial ECG, EJV is a suitable access for central venous cannulation when internal jugular vein (IJV) is not usable.

Outcome of Tunneled Infusion Catheters Inserted via the Right Internal Jugular Vein

PURPOSE: To assess the outcome of tunneled central venous catheter placement via the right internal jugular vein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2001 and May 2002, 670 consecutive Hickman catheters were placed in 654 patients via the right internal jugular vein. The procedural complications arising and follow-up data obtained from May to July 2002 were evaluated. RESULTS: The technical success rate for catheter placement was 99.9% (669/670). Procedural complications were limited to eight cases (1.2%), including three pneumothoraces, one early migration of the catheter, one clinically unimportant air embolism, one catheter injury, one catheter kinking and one primary malpositioning in the azygos vein. Catheter dwelling time ranged from 1 to 407 (mean 107.1) days. During the follow-up period, 416 catheters were removed for various reasons: treatment had ended (n=334), patients declined treatment or their drug regimen was changed (n=16), late complications arose (n=53), or other circumstances intervened (n=13). Late complications included 44 cases of catheter-related infection (6.6%), five of catheter migration (0.7%), two of catheter occlusion (0.3%), one of thrombophlebitis (0.15%), and one of catheter-related right atrial thrombosis (0.15%). Only one instance of symptomatic venous thrombosis or stenosis was noted , namely the one case of thrombophlebitis. CONCLUSION: Because the incidence of subsequent symptomatic venous thrombosis or stenosis is lower, the preferred route for tunneled central venous catheter placement is the right internal jugular vein.

The Effects of CO2 Insufflation on Jugular Bulb Venous Blood Oxygen Saturation during Thoracoscopy / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUNDS: Carbon Dioxide (CO2) insufflation during thoracoscopy may result in adverse hemodynamic consequences such as increase in central venous pressure, decrease in cardiac output and increase in arterial carbon dioxide pressure. But the cerebral effects of CO2 insufflation during thoracoscopy are not known yet. To evaluate the cerebral effect of CO2 insufflation during thoracoscopy, jugular bulb venous blood oxygen saturation and pressure were measured. METHODS: Nine patients were underwent thoracic surgery by thoracoscopy and one lung ventilation. After operation, CO2 was insufflated and hemodynamic parameters, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure, jugular bulb pressure, arterial blood gases and jugular bulb venous blood gases were measured at intrathoracic pressure 5 mmHg, 10 mmHg and 15 mmHg respectively. RESULTS: Central venous pressure was increased with insufflation of CO2 of 10 mmHg and 15 mmHg. Jugular bulb pressure was increased with insufflationof of CO2 of 5mmHg, 10 mmHg and 15 mmHg. Arterial PCO2, jugular bulb venous PO2 and jugular bulb venous blood oxygen saturation were increased with insufflation of CO2 of 5 mmHg, 10 mmHg and 15 mmHg. CONCLUSION: CO2 insufflation pressure of 5 mmHg or greater resulted in significant increase in jugular bulb venous blood oxygen saturation and pressure.