Dilated internal mammary veins in liver disease – A potential pitfall in central venous cannulation

Abstract

Introduction: Portal hypertension leads to dilation of internal mammary veins. Among the various sites of misplacement of a catheter inserted via the internal jugular vein, misplacement in the internal mammary vein is relatively rare in the general population, when compared to liver disease patients. Catheter misplacement during central venous cannulation can be associated with thrombosis, wedging, erosion, and perforation. The option of replacing or removing the catheter is not always risk-free, particularly with associated coagulopathy. We describe the management of a misplaced CVC which was accessed through the left internal jugular vein and repositioned under fluoroscopic guidance. Keywords: Central venous catheter, Repositioning of central venous catheter, central venous catheter in left internal mammary vein, portal hypertension, fluoroscopy