• Sharon Griswold-Theodorson, Eric Farabaugh, Neal Handly, Todd McGrath, and David Wagner.
• Department of Emergency Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102, USA.
• J Vasc Access. 2013 Apr 1;14(2):104-10.

PurposePolicy statements recommend the use of ultrasound guidance (USG) to improve patient safety during placement of central venous catheters (CVCs). Studies have conclusively demonstrated greater success rates and fewer complications with the use of USG in catheter placement using the internal jugular vein approach. Data supporting the use of USG for the subclavian vein (SCV) approach, however, have been less conclusive, and USG for SCV cannulation is rarely used in clinical practice. We compared USG placement versus anatomic placement during subclavian insertion of a CVC.MethodsA prospective randomized study was performed in March 2010 using a simulation model.ResultsUltrasound guidance did not provide a statistically significant benefit for successful cannulation of the SCV (93.3% with USG and 100% without; P=0.15 or 2) or for rate of inadvertent arterial puncture (3.3% with USG and 0% without; P=0.31).ConclusionsThe use of USG to access the SCV utilizing a task trainer did not improve time to cannulation or success rates. Further study is required to delineate why USG for SCV cannulation has not been widely adopted in clinical practice.

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