Abstract
Background: When implanting a permanent central venous catheter, the usual aim is to place the tip at the superior vena cava/right atrial (SVC/RA) junction. However, data validating radiographic landmarks of the SVC/RA junction are limited. This investigation was undertaken to compare the radiographic landmarks with the SVC/RA junction as determined by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Methods: In 20 adult oncologic patients undergoing implantation of a permanent subcutaneous central venous catheter, the catheter tip was placed in the SVC/RA junction under TEE guidance. The position of the catheter tip on chest X-ray, which represented the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction, was then compared with a standard radiographic landmark of the SVC/RA junction and with thoracic vertebral levels. Results: In all but two patients radiographic SVC/RA junctions were identified. The echocardiographic SVC/RA junction ranged from 0.6 cm above to 2.8 cm below the radiographic SVC/RA junction. There was a significant difference between the distance from the carina to the radiographic SVC/RA junction and the distance from the carina to the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction. The thoracic vertebral body correlating with the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction ranged from the sixth to the ninth level. Conclusion: Both the radiographic SVC/RA junction and the thoracic vertebral bodies are not reliable landmarks for the SVC/RA junction defined by TEE. Physicians should be aware that using the radiographic SVC/RA junction to confirm proper positioning of permanent central venous catheters risks placing the catheter tip in the upper SVC, with subsequent potential long-term complications. More reliable radiographic landmarks for the SVC/RA junction should be investigated.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 731-735 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica |
| Volume | 50 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2006 Jul 1 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
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Comparison of radiographic landmarks and the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction in the positioning of long-term central venous catheters. / Hsu, J. H.; Wang, C. K.; Chu, K. S.; Cheng, K. I.; Chuang, H. Y.; Jaw, T. S.; Wu, J. R.
In: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, Vol. 50, No. 6, 01.07.2006, p. 731-735.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparison of radiographic landmarks and the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction in the positioning of long-term central venous catheters
AU - Hsu, J. H.
AU - Wang, C. K.
AU - Chu, K. S.
AU - Cheng, K. I.
AU - Chuang, H. Y.
AU - Jaw, T. S.
AU - Wu, J. R.
PY - 2006/7/1
Y1 - 2006/7/1
N2 - Background: When implanting a permanent central venous catheter, the usual aim is to place the tip at the superior vena cava/right atrial (SVC/RA) junction. However, data validating radiographic landmarks of the SVC/RA junction are limited. This investigation was undertaken to compare the radiographic landmarks with the SVC/RA junction as determined by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Methods: In 20 adult oncologic patients undergoing implantation of a permanent subcutaneous central venous catheter, the catheter tip was placed in the SVC/RA junction under TEE guidance. The position of the catheter tip on chest X-ray, which represented the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction, was then compared with a standard radiographic landmark of the SVC/RA junction and with thoracic vertebral levels. Results: In all but two patients radiographic SVC/RA junctions were identified. The echocardiographic SVC/RA junction ranged from 0.6 cm above to 2.8 cm below the radiographic SVC/RA junction. There was a significant difference between the distance from the carina to the radiographic SVC/RA junction and the distance from the carina to the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction. The thoracic vertebral body correlating with the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction ranged from the sixth to the ninth level. Conclusion: Both the radiographic SVC/RA junction and the thoracic vertebral bodies are not reliable landmarks for the SVC/RA junction defined by TEE. Physicians should be aware that using the radiographic SVC/RA junction to confirm proper positioning of permanent central venous catheters risks placing the catheter tip in the upper SVC, with subsequent potential long-term complications. More reliable radiographic landmarks for the SVC/RA junction should be investigated.
AB - Background: When implanting a permanent central venous catheter, the usual aim is to place the tip at the superior vena cava/right atrial (SVC/RA) junction. However, data validating radiographic landmarks of the SVC/RA junction are limited. This investigation was undertaken to compare the radiographic landmarks with the SVC/RA junction as determined by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Methods: In 20 adult oncologic patients undergoing implantation of a permanent subcutaneous central venous catheter, the catheter tip was placed in the SVC/RA junction under TEE guidance. The position of the catheter tip on chest X-ray, which represented the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction, was then compared with a standard radiographic landmark of the SVC/RA junction and with thoracic vertebral levels. Results: In all but two patients radiographic SVC/RA junctions were identified. The echocardiographic SVC/RA junction ranged from 0.6 cm above to 2.8 cm below the radiographic SVC/RA junction. There was a significant difference between the distance from the carina to the radiographic SVC/RA junction and the distance from the carina to the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction. The thoracic vertebral body correlating with the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction ranged from the sixth to the ninth level. Conclusion: Both the radiographic SVC/RA junction and the thoracic vertebral bodies are not reliable landmarks for the SVC/RA junction defined by TEE. Physicians should be aware that using the radiographic SVC/RA junction to confirm proper positioning of permanent central venous catheters risks placing the catheter tip in the upper SVC, with subsequent potential long-term complications. More reliable radiographic landmarks for the SVC/RA junction should be investigated.
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2006.01025.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2006.01025.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 16987369
AN - SCOPUS:33750118707
VL - 50
SP - 731
EP - 735
JO - Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
JF - Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
SN - 0001-5172
IS - 6
ER -