Bedside ultrasound as an alternative to chest radiograph in detecting complications associated with central venous catheter placement: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: Current practice in most institutions includes a routine post-procedural chest radiograph after central venous catheter (CVC) placement. After the introduction of ultrasonography guidance, the utility of obtaining such imaging was called into question. The goal of this study was to determine whether the use of bedside ultrasound is inferior to chest radiograph in detecting post-procedural complications and to assess the cost-effectiveness of these studies.