Vein Visualization

Abstract

Background We investigated the patient characteristic factors that correlate with identification of i.v. cannulation sites with normal eyesight. We evaluated a new infrared vein finding (VF) technology device in identifying i.v. cannulation sites. Methods Each subject underwent two observations: one using the conventional method (CM) of normal, unassisted eyesight and the other with the infrared VF device, VueTek's Veinsite™ (VF). A power analysis for moderate effect size (β=0.95) required 54 samples for within-subject differences. Results Patient characteristic profiles were obtained from 384 subjects (768 observations). Our sample population exhibited an overall average of 5.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.4–6.2] veins using CM. As a whole, CM vein visualization were less effective among obese [4.5 (95% CI 3.8–5.3)], African-American [4.6 (95% CI 3.6–5.5 veins)], and Asian [5.1 (95% CI 4.1–6.0)] subjects. Next, the VF technology identified an average of 9.1 (95% CI 8.6–9.5) possible cannulation sites compared with CM [average of 5.8 (95% CI 5.4–6.2)]. Seventy-six obese subjects had an average of 4.5 (95% CI 3.8–5.3) and 8.2 (95% CI 7.4–9.1) veins viewable by CM and VF, respectively. In dark skin subjects, 9.1 (95% CI 8.3–9.9) veins were visible by VF compared with 5.4 (95% CI 4.8–6.0) with CM. Conclusions African-American or Asian ethnicity, and obesity were associated with decreased vein visibility. The visibility of veins eligible for cannulation increased for all subgroups using a new infrared device.