Left innominate vein (brachiocephalic) monitoring of central venous pressure after cardiac operations.
Pre-operative insertion of a central venous pressure monitoring line may be difficult when superficial veins are lacking. Groin cannulations predispose to bacterial endocarditis, and are difficult to keep from becoming obstructed by hip flexion. Internal jugular lines are precarious and tend to be unreliable. Innominate vein cannulation before cardiac surgery is safe, easy to perform, reliable and comfortable for the patient. Complications have not been encountered.
D016121:Brachiocephalic Veins / Q000601:surgery; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D002496:Central Venous Pressure; D006801:Humans; D011182:Postoperative Care