Cannulation of the internal jugular vein in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

ABSTRACT

A total of 476 internal jugular vein cannulations performed between June 1990 to August 1991 were prospectively evaluated. The patients' age ranged between ten days to 61 years. We achieved a high success rate of cannulation (97.9%). We describe the use of two single lumen catheters inserted through right internal jugular vein as an alternative to the popular multilumen catheters. We also suggest that low approach should be tried more often in children, if the central approach fails.