Guidance For Central Venous Catheterization Research Articles

Cost-effectiveness-analysis of ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization compared with landmark method: a decision-analytic model

BackgroundUltrasound guidance for central venous catheterization is a commonly used alternative to the conventional landmark method. Because from the German perspective, the cost-effectiveness of ultrasound guidance is unclear, this study examined the cost-effectiveness of ultrasound guidance versus the landmark method for adults undergoing a central venous catheterization.MethodsA decision-tree based model was built to estimate the costs of averted catheter-related complications. Clinical data (e.g. arterial puncture, failed attempts) were obtained from a Cochrane review and a randomized controlled trial, whilst information about cost parameters were taken from a German hospital of maximum care. The analysis was conducted from the perspective of the German Statutory Health Insurance. Results were presented as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. To assess the parameter uncertainty, several sensitivity analyses were performed (deterministic, probabilistic and with regard to the model structure).ResultsOur analysis revealed that ultrasound guidance resulted in fewer complications per person (0.04 versus 0.17 for the landmark method) and was less expensive (€51 versus €230 for the landmark method). Results were robust to changes in the model parameters and in the model structure. Whilst our model population reflected approximately 49% of adults undergoing a central venous catheterization cannulation per year, structural sensitivity analyses (e.g. extending the study cohort to patients at higher baseline risk of complications, pediatric patients, or using real-time/indirect catheterization) indicated the cost-effectiveness of ultrasound guidance for a broader spectrum of patients. The results should be interpreted by considering the assumptions (e.g. target population) and approximations (e.g. cost parameters) underpinning the model.ConclusionsUltrasound guidance for central venous catheterization averts more catheter-related complications and may save the resources of the German Statutory Health Insurance compared with landmark method.

Barriers to ultrasound guidance for central venous access: a survey among Dutch intensivists and anaesthesiologists

Accumulating evidence shows that ultrasound (US) guidance improves effectiveness and safety of central venous catheter (CVC) placement. Several international guidelines therefore recommend the use of US for placement of CVCs. However, surveys show that the landmark-based technique is still widely used, while the percentage of physicians using US is increasing less than expected. The goal of this study was to investigate current practice for central venous catheterization in anaesthesiology and intensive care in the Netherlands, identify barriers for further implementation of US guidance and to evaluate whether personality traits are associated with the choice of technique. We conducted a web-based national survey, distributed among members of the Dutch societies of anaesthesiology (NVA) and intensive care (NVIC). The survey contained questions regarding physician and hospital characteristics, frequency of US use and reasons for use or non-use, as well as the NEO-FFI-3, a validated, translated questionnaire to characterize personality traits according to the ‘Big Five’ concept. Response rate was 22% (506/2291), of which 400 had also the personality questionnaire complete. Ultrasound guidance was used always or almost always in 68%; barriers for US use were working in a non-academic non-teaching hospital, providing cardiac anaesthesia and more years of physician experience. Reasons for not using US were perceived lack of benefit, increased procedure time, lack of US equipment and fear of loss of landmark technique skills. 13% of respondents had never experienced a complication during CVC placement, and 67% knew of a complication occurring the past year at their department. Ultrasound was thought not to be able to prevent the complication in half of these cases. Of the personality traits, only neuroticism and extraversion showed a minor positive association with US guidance. A majority of anaesthesiologists and intensivists uses US guidance for CVC placement, but a significant proportion of physicians still prefers the landmark technique. Most arguments from respondents against US guidance can be challenged. Personality traits most likely do not play a major role in the acceptance of US guidance for central venous catheterization. A potential intervention to increase US use could be formalizing local hospital policies mandating compliance with US guidance. Future research can perhaps focus on cognitive biases that currently limit more widespread use of US guidance.

Implementation and Evaluation of Training for Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access to Small Vessels Using a Low-Cost Cadaver Model.

Critically ill neonatal and pediatric patients often require central vascular access. Real-time ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization is beneficial. Because the diameter of central veins is much smaller in neonates than in adults, extensive training is needed to master the visualization and catheterization of central veins in neonates. This study assessed the learning effect of a standardized simulation-based teaching program on ultrasound-guided cannulation in a low-cost cadaver tissue model. This simulation-based prospective study assessed physician competence in the ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization procedure. Analyses were conducted before and after the teaching course. Pediatric simulation center at a tertiary care center. Staff physicians from the Neonatal ICU and PICUs at the Medical University of Vienna. Two latex tubes, with internal diameters of 2 and 4 mm, were inserted in parallel into cadaver tissue to mimic vessels and create a model for central venous catheterization. Under ultrasound guidance, each participant attempted to puncture and insert a guide-wire into each of the latex tubes using in-plane and out-of-plane techniques, both before and after the teaching course. The training program was assessed using a questionnaire and a performance checklist. Thirty-nine physicians participated in this study. The rates of failure of guide-wire insertion into 2-mm tubes were significantly lower after than before the teaching course, using both in-plane (p = 0.001) and out-of-plane (p = 0.004) techniques. Teaching, however, did not significantly reduce the insertion failure rate into 4-mm tubes, either in-plane (p = 0.148) or out-of-plane (p = 0.069). The numbers of successful cannulations on the first attempt increased after the teaching in all methods (p = 0.001). Implementation of a skills training program for ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization in a cadaver tissue model was feasible and cost- and time-effective. The number of attempts until successful cannulation of small vessels (2-mm tube) was significantly lower after than before the standardized teaching program.

Three-step procedure for safe internal jugular vein catheterization under ultrasound guidance.

Real-time ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization has become a standard technique. This technique has been reported to yield high success rates and fewer complications compared with landmark techniques. However, it can be risky when the practitioner does not possess proper knowledge and skills. Lose sight of the needle tip can lead to severe complications such as arterial puncture or pneumothorax. Also, posterior wall penetration of the target vessels must be avoided. Misplacement of the catheter to other vessels can sometimes occur, and may only be discovered after the catheterization procedure. To avoid these complications, we perform a three-step procedure to place an internal jugular vein catheter under ultrasound guidance. The three steps are: (a) advance the needle tip to the internal jugular vein with a short-axis image with an out-of-plane technique, (b) rupture the anterior wall by using a long-axis image with an in-plane technique, and (c) confirm the guidewire position from the internal jugular vein to the brachiocephalic vein using a short-axis image, and a coronal image from the supraclavicular fossa. For safe needle advancement and penetration of the anterior wall of the vein, combined use of short-axis and long-axis images is helpful, and guidewire placement should be confirmed by scanning with the short-axis image and the coronal image.

Use of ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization: a national survey of intensivists and hospitalists

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to evaluate the frequency and barriers to use of ultrasound guidance for central venous catheter (CVC) insertion by physicians specializing in critical care and hospital medicine. Materials and methodsA national cross-sectional electronic survey of intensivists and hospitalists was administered from November 2014 to January 2015. ResultsThe survey response rate was 5.9% (1013/17 233). Moderate to very frequent use of ultrasound guidance varied by site: internal jugular vein (80%), subclavian vein (31%), and femoral vein (45%). Nearly all physicians (99%) who insert internal jugular CVCs daily use ultrasound guidance, whereas only 46% of physicians who insert subclavian CVCs daily use ultrasound guidance. Use of real-time ultrasound guidance varied by insertion site: internal jugular vein (73%), subclavian vein (28%), and femoral vein (42%). Most physicians (59%) reported not being comfortable with real-time needle tracking at the subclavian site. The most frequently reported barriers to use of ultrasound guidance were (1) limited availability of ultrasound equipment (28%), (2) perception of increased total procedure time (22%), and (3) concern for loss of landmark skills (13%). ConclusionsMost intensivists routinely use ultrasound guidance to insert internal jugular CVCs but not subclavian CVCs. The most commonly reported barrier to ultrasound use was limited access to an ultrasound machine.

Central Venous Catheterization: Are We Using Ultrasound Guidance?

To assess the self-reported frequency of use of ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization by emergency medicine (EM) residents, describe residents' perceptions regarding the use of ultrasound guidance, and identify barriers to the use of ultrasound guidance. A longitudinal cross-sectional study was conducted at 5 academic institutions. A questionnaire on the use of ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization was initially administered to EM residents in 2007. The same questionnaire was distributed again in the 5 EM residency programs in 2013. In 2007 and 2013, 147 and 131 residents completed questionnaires, respectively. A significant increase in the use of ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization was reported in 2013 compared to 2007 (P< .001). In 2007, 53% (95% confidence interval, 44%-61%) of residents reported that they were initially trained in central venous catheterization using ultrasound guidance compared to 96% (95% confidence interval, 92%-99%) in 2013 (P < .0001). In 2007, more residents thought that faculty were insufficiently adopting ultrasound (42% versus 9%), and there was a lack of ultrasound teaching during residency training (14% versus 5%) compared to 2013. The use of self-reported ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization significantly increased from 2007 to 2013 at academic institutions. Most residents were aware of the benefits of using ultrasound guidance. Although faculty adoption of ultrasound for central venous catheterization remains a barrier, it has decreased.

Understanding the Use of Ultrasound Guidance for Central Venous Catheterization

Understanding the Use of Ultrasound Guidance for Central Venous Catheterization

Are we teaching the teachers? Training in the use of ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization

Are we teaching the teachers? Training in the use of ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization

Ultrasound guidance for central vascular access in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit

Background:Percutaneous central venous cannulation (CVC) in infants and children is a challenging procedure, and it is usually achieved with a blinded, external landmark-guided technique. Recent guidelines from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend the use of ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this method in a pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit, assessing the number of attempts, access time (skin to vein), incidence of complication, and the ease of use for central venous access in the neonatal age group.Methods:After approval by the local departmental ethical committee, we evaluated an ultrasound-guided method over a period of 6 months in 20 critically ill patients requiring central venous access in a pediatric intensive care unit and a neonatal intensive care unit (median age 9 (0–204) months and weight 9.3 (1.9–60) kg). Cannulation was performed after locating the puncture site with the aid of an ultrasound device (8 MHz transducer, Vividi General Electrics® Burroughs, USA) covered by a sterile sheath. Outcome measures included successful insertion rate, number of attempts, access time, and incidence of complications.Results:Cannulation of the central vein was 100% successful in all patients. The right femoral vein was preferred in 60% of the cases. The vein was entered on the first attempt in 75% of all patients, and the median number of attempts was 1. The median access time (skin to vein) for all patients was 64.5 s. No arterial punctures or hematomas occurred using the ultrasound technique.Conclusions:In a sample of critically ill patients from a pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit, ultrasound-guided CVC compared with published reports on traditional technique required fewer attempts and less time. It improved the overall success rate, minimized the occurrence of complications during vein cannulation and was easy to apply in neonatal and pediatric patients.

Needle tip visualization during ultrasound-guided vascular access: short-axis vs long-axis approach

Objectives Ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization improves success rates and decreases complications when compared to the landmark technique. Prior research has demonstrated that arterial and/or posterior vein wall puncture still occurs despite real-time ultrasound guidance. The inability to maintain visualization of the needle tip may contribute to these complications. This study aims to identify whether long-axis or short-axis approaches to ultrasound-guided vascular access afford improved visibility of the needle tip. Methods A prospective trial was conducted at a level I trauma center with an emergency medicine residency. Medical students and residents placed needles into vascular access tissue phantoms using long-axis and short-axis approaches. Ultrasound images obtained at the time of vessel puncture were then reviewed. Primary outcome measures were visibility of the needle tip at the time of puncture and total time to successful puncture of the vessel. Results All subjects were able to successfully obtain simulated blood from the tissue phantom. Mean time to puncture was 14.8 seconds in the long-axis group and 12.4 seconds in the short-axis group ( P = .48). Needle tip visibility at the time of vessel puncture was higher in the long-axis group (24/39, 62%) as opposed to the short-axis group (9/39, 23%) ( P = .01). Conclusions In a simulated vascular access model, the long-axis approach to ultrasound-guided vascular access was associated with improved visibility of the needle tip during vessel puncture. This approach may help decrease complications associated with ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization and should be prospectively evaluated in future studies.

US-guided placement of central vein catheters in patients with disorders of hemostasis

ObjectiveTo prospectively evaluate the technical success and immediate complication rates of temporary central catheter placement in a homogenous patient population with disorders of hemostasis. Materials and methodsOne hundred and thirty three temporary central vein catheters inserted under ultrasound guidance in 119 patients with bleeding disorders were analyzed over a 4-year period. Patients were males (n=51; 43%) and females (n=68; 57%) with a mean age of 56.6 years (age range 18–95 years). A catheter was inserted in IJV in 129 (97%) procedures, subclavian vein in 2 (1.5%) procedures and femoral vein in 2 (1,5%) procedures. Thirty-three (24.8%) procedures were performed on bedside. Of 119 patients, 106 (89%) had only one catheter placement and the rest had had more than one catheter placement (range 1–3). ResultsTechnical success was achieved in all patients (100%). Average number of puncture was 1.01 (range 1–2). One hundred and nineteen insertions (89.5%) were single-wall punctures, whereas 14 insertions were double-wall punctures. Eight (6%) minor complications occurred including oozing of blood around the catheter in five (3.8%) procedures, small hematoma in two (1.5%) procedure and both in one patient. There was no inadvertent arterial puncture or major complications like hemothorax or pneumothorax in any patients. ConclusionUS-guided placement of central vein catheters in patients with disorder of hemostasis is safe with high technical success and low complication rates. US guidance for central venous catheterization should be the preferred method in this group of patients, if available in the hospital setting.

Identification and correction of guide wire malposition during internal jugular cannulation with ultrasound

Real-time ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization increases success and reduces procedural complications. I describe a case in which guide wire resistance was encountered and real-time ultrasound visualization of the guide wire facilitated correction of guide wire malposition. No additional passes of the introducer needle were necessary and the chances of inadvertent carotid artery puncture or pneumothorax were therefore reduced. The technique described here may prove valuable when guide wire resistance is encountered while placing a central venous catheter.

NICE guidelines for central venous catheterization in children. Is the evidence base sufficient?

Recent guidelines from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend the use of ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization in children. This study prospectively examined the use of ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization in children undergoing heart surgery. One hundred and twenty-four infants and children were randomized to either ultrasound-guided or traditional landmark-guided central venous catheterization. Success rates were significantly greater in the landmark group compared with the ultrasound group (89.3% vs 78%, P<0.002), and arterial puncture rates were significantly lower in the landmark group (6.2% vs 11.9%, P<0.03). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the time taken to perform the catheterization. These results are different from the published results on which the NICE guidelines were based; however, the evidence base in children is small. There is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization in children.