Blind axillar venous access.
The axillary vein has been suggested as an alternate site for venous access to avoid the "subclavian crush phenomenon. " Many techniques have been used to access this structure. They include complicated anatomical landmarks, contrast venography, Doppler, and ultrasound. A simple technique using the basic anatomical landmark of the deltopectoral groove and a blind venous stick has been used successfully in 165 of 168 consecutive pacemaker and ICD procedures; there were only three failures. These required an alternate approach. With a thorough knowledge of the regional anatomy, the axillary vein can be safely used as a primary site of venous access.
Belott
P H
PH
Pacemaker and Arrhythmia Center, El Cajon, California, USA.
D001367:Axillary Vein; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D013350:Subclavian Vein / Q000293:injuries