Internal jugular catheterisation. Blood reflux is not a reliable sign in patients with thoracic trauma.
An internal jugular catheter, which was inserted into a patient with a traumatic haemopneumothorax, accidentally entered the pleural cavity. This was initially undetected because the two signs most frequently used to confirm correct placement, those of blood reflux and fluctuation of central venous pressure with respiration, were positive. A number of precautions are suggested which should be taken when central venous catheters are inserted in patients with thoracic trauma.
Pina
J
J
Medical School of Porto, Hospital de S. João, Portugal.
Morujão
N
N
Castro-Tavares
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002496:Central Venous Pressure; D006468:Hemopneumothorax / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins; D008297:Male; D010994:Pleura / Q000293:injuries; D012119:Respiration; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000293:injuries