19581 Background: A central venous catheter (CVC) represents the most frequently adopted intravenous line for patients undergoing infusional chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and parenteral nutrition. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and safety of CVC insertion under ultrasound (US) control. US offers the advantage of real-time, multiplanar imaging as well as Doppler analysis. Methods: The echoguided approach allowed us to insert CVC in right supraclavicular site nearby the clavicular head of sternocleidomastoid muscle. Using a 7.5-MHz probe we were able to perform a real time control of the hip of the needle while it was inserted in the last side of internal jugular vein. At the end of the procedure chest Rx was executed to evaluate CVC position and to detect pneumotorax. Mainly Sekalon Seldy, Becketon Dickinson was employed. For PBSC collection, 14-gauge Arrow double lumen revealed to be highly efficacious (46 PBSC collections, no one failure). Results: From November 1999 to December 2006 the echoguided CVC insertion method was applied 1003 times in 843 patients. The procedure was applied 288 times in haematological malignancies, in 698 solid tumors, in 3 neurological autoimmune diseases. Among solid tumors colon carcinoma was the first indication, while gastric carcinoma the second. Among haematological patients: non-Hodgkin lymphoma was the first indication, then acute leukemia. Ten patients underwent allogenic BMT and 92 autologous BMT. Nine in 1003 procedures failed (1%). Failures were caused by: arterial puncture in 3, CVC dislocation in 1, vein collapse in 3 and no efficacious “eco window” in 2. No pneumotorax was registered. The safety of this procedure was confirmed by 35 catheterisations obtained with platelets under 20000/μl, by 7 procedure with prothrombin activity under 50%. In 44 patients catheter was inserted with neutrophil count below 100/μl and in 66 below 500/μl without any increase in infections. Mean time of catheter permanence was 151 days with 1,7 infectious events every 1000 days of permanence. Symptomatic deep veins thrombotic complications were 9 (1%). Conclusions: This procedure is safe, cheap with high accuracy and success rate, and above all US-guidance avoids pneumothorax. No significant financial relationships to disclose.