Prospective, randomized trial of Doppler-assisted subclavian vein catheterization.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the rate of success and complications of Doppler-guided subclavian vein catheter insertion compared with standard insertion in patients considered at high risk for failure.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, crossover trial.


METHODS
University-affiliated tertiary care medical center.


METHODS
Two hundred forty patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were stratified for 3 known risk factors: (1) prior surgery in the subclavian vein region, (2) prior radiotherapy at the attempted catheterization site, and (3) an abnormal weight-height ratio.


METHODS
Subclavian vein catheterization was performed either in standard or Doppler-guided fashion using the Smart Needle (Peripheral Systems Group, Mountain View, Calif), which is a Doppler probe at the tip of a cannulating needle. If subclavian vein catheterization was unsuccessful after 2 attempts, patients were crossed over to the other technique.


METHODS
Successful cannulation of the subclavian vein.


RESULTS
The success rate, either as an initial technique or as a salvage technique, and complication rate were not significantly different with use of the Smart Needle. A subgroup of physicians had a significantly lower success rate using the Smart Needle.


CONCLUSIONS
Doppler guidance did not increase the success rate or decrease the complication rate of subclavian vein catheterization when compared with the standard technique in high-risk patients. Doppler guidance was not more useful than the standard technique as a salvage technique following a previous failure of catheterization. Furthermore, real-time Doppler guidance of subclavian vein catheterization is a technique that is highly operator dependent.
Bold
R J
RJ
Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
Winchester
D J
DJ
Madary
A R
AR
Gregurich
M A
MA
Mansfield
P F
PF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000379:methods*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013350:Subclavian Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler