Evaluation of the Efficacy of Ultrasound in Detecting Correct Placement of Central Venous Catheter and Determining the Elimination of the Need for Chest Radiography

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Ultrasound guidance of central venous catheter (CVC) insertion improves the safety and efficacy of its placement, but still it may not ensure correct placement of catheter tip. In our study, we aimed to identify the correct placement of CVC tip and to detect mechanical complications, by visualizing it in real time with the help of sonography and comparing this to the chest X-ray findings. Patients and Methods This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted on 80 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 1 and 2, in the age group of 18 to 65 years, who required central venous catheterization in intensive care unit. The CVC tip placement was identified with ultrasound and then the finding was compared with postinsertion chest X-ray. Results In only 9 out of the 80 patients (11.3%) malposition was detected on ultrasound and was corrected immediately, whereas in remaining 71 patients (88.8%) no intervention was required. It was observed that all the patients had correct position of CVC tip on postprocedural chest X-ray. Accidental arterial cannulation occurred in two (2.5%) patients in whom right internal jugular vein was cannulated and in two (2.5%) patients who had arrhythmia. Conclusion Ultrasonography (USG) examination can be used as a diagnostic tool method for confirmation of CVC tip and identification of cannulation-related complications. Thus, we can say that USG might obviate the need for post-CVC insertion chest X-ray.