Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Confirm Central Venous Catheter Placement and Evaluate for Postprocedural Complications.

BACKGROUND

Central venous catheter (CVC) placement is commonly performed in the emergency department (ED), but traditional confirmation of placement includes chest radiograph.

OBJECTIVE

This manuscript details the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to confirm placement of a CVC and evaluate for postprocedural complications.

DISCUSSION: CVC access in the ED setting is an important procedure. Traditional confirmation includes chest radiograph. POCUS is a rapid, inexpensive, and accurate modality to confirm CVC placement and evaluate for postprocedural complications. POCUS after CVC can evaluate lung sliding for pneumothorax and the internal jugular vein for misdirected CVC. A bubble study with POCUS visualizing agitated saline microbubbles within the right heart can confirm venous placement.

CONCLUSIONS

POCUS can rapidly and reliably confirm CVC placement, as well as evaluate for postprocedural complications. Knowledge of this technique can assist emergency clinicians.