Central Venous Catheterization Via the External Jugular Vein

Abstract

CENTRAL venous pressure (CVP) measurement provides valuable clinical data during the perioperative period. A variety of routes and techniques for obtaining CVP data have been described. Cannulation of the antecubital vein is easy, but passage of a long catheter to a central location from the antecubital site is frequently difficult and unsuccessful. Cannulation of the subclavian or internal jugular vein provides reliable and accurate CVP, but is technically demanding and has resulted in severe complications. Peripheral venous pressure measurement from the external jugular vein can accurately reflect CVP, but is position-dependent and often unreliable. Passage of a catheter into a central venous position via the external jugular vein is very difficult with present methods. This study was designed to evaluate an easy, dependable, and safe method of catheter placement in the superior vena cava via the external jugular vein, employing a flexible angiographic wire catheter guide (J-wire). Methods A pilot