Spontaneous migration of a central venous catheter and its repositioning: technical note.
A right atrial catheter was inserted the night before operation and its position was verified by an X-ray film. Before the performance of the surgical procedure, the catheter was attached to a strain gauge transducer and a wave form indicated catheter migration into the right ventricle. The catheter was withdrawn until atrial pulse contour developed. Verification of catheter position using this pressure pulse contour technique is simple and accurate and avoids the potential hazards of ventricular placement and the inability to aspirate adequately in the event of venous air embolism.
D000328:Adult; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D002496:Central Venous Pressure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans