Comparison of central venous catheterization with and without ultrasound guide.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness, safety and time needed to perform central venous catheterization (CVC) in the presence or absence of an ultrasound (US) guide.


METHODS
Between January 1999 and February 2002 we performed CVCs in 196 patients: 105 patients received US guided CVC (group I) and 91 patients had CVC without US guide (group II).


RESULTS
The average time to perform CVC was shorter with US guide (4 vs 7 min). The utilization of the US guide was also associated with improved success (98.09% vs 91.2%, p<0.025) and lack of major complications (0% vs 9.8%, p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
US-guided CVC affords an easier, safer and more rapid cannulation of a central vein. It is especially helpful in those patients with anatomical variation or difficult veins (small or not visible, non-palpable landmarks) and in those with coagulative disorders.
Cajozzo
Massimo
M
Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery and Oncology, University of Palermo, via Del Vespro 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy. msc1@virgilio.it
Quintini
Gerlando
G
Cocchiera
Gerlando
G
Greco
Geo
G
Vaglica
Roberto
R
Pezzano
Giuseppina
G
Barbera
Vincenzo
V
Modica
Giuseppe
G
D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods