title: A new trick to a routine procedure: taking the fear out of the axillary vein stick using the 35° caudal view.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The axillary vein is frequently used to implant pacemaker and defibrillator leads. We describe a technique utilizing the caudal fluoroscopic view to facilitate axillary venous access without contrast.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Outcomes of device implants or upgrades utilizing this technique were examined during a 1-year period at our institution. Of 229 consecutive implants, only 9 patients required an alternate technique for lead implantation. There were zero cases of pneumothorax.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The caudal view allows for optimal appreciation of the anterior border of the lung and the first rib. This simple technique increases the implanter's appreciation of and control over the access needle depth relative to the lung and first rib, thereby reducing pneumothorax risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 10th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA fyang@maimonidesmed.org.
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 10th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kulbak
mesh_terms: D001367:Axillary Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods*; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D011677:Punctures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Access; Axillary; Defibrillator; Device; Lead implantation; Pacemaker; Vein