• Andrew Schaffrinna.
• Chest. 2014 Mar 1;145(3 Suppl):60A.

Session TitleCardiovascular Case Report Posters ISESSION TYPE: Case Report PosterPRESENTED ON: Sunday, March 23, 2014 at 01:15 PM - 02:15 PMINTRODUCTION: Central venous catheters (CVC) are placed in large caliber veins, and though relatively safe, complications can occur. When chest radiograph cannot verify proper CVC placement, further assessments are mandated. We present a case of questionable placement of a left-sided CVC.Case Presentation58 y/o female presented with diarrhea and severe hypokalemia. An ultrasound-guided LIJ was placed and radiograph revealed the catheter tip bordering the left margin of the aortic knob and toward the spine. Analysis revealed venous blood. Saline flushing caused left sided back pain.DiscussionDespite proper technique CVCs can terminate in what appears to be undesired locations. Complication rates range from 15-33%. The left side is more circuitous, an increased transverse lie exists, and more tributaries are present. In this case, the catheter was placed in a tributary of the left brachiocephalic: internal thoracic, pericardiophrenic, or the least common of the three, superior intercostal veins. AP radiographs show the internal thoracic to be most medial of the three, the pericardiophrenic traveling along the left cardiac border, and the superior intercostal descending along the left mediastinum, arching along the aortic knob and revealing an "aortic nipple." In lateral radiographs, the internal thoracic vein will lie in the anterior mediastinum, the pericardiophrenic vein medially, and the superior intercostal vein in the posterior mediastinum, toward the vertebral bodies. Tributary cannulations result in thoracic pain during rapid flush. A non-dilated left-sided tributary veins are usually too narrow for CVC cannulation, however congenital or acquired causes of enlargements can provide dilation and cannulation at greater than 4.5mm. Given the radiographic findings and clinical indicators described above, the superior intercostal vein is most likely the site.ConclusionsOur case demonstrates possible cannulation routes and clinical significance. It is imperative to understand the limitations of these catheters. When tributary vein cannulation is likely, treating it as a peripheral line is recommended: avoid vasopressors and medications with sclerosing properties. A theoretical risk of thrombus formation and small vessel infection due to the physical trauma must also be considered.Reference #1: Tong MK, et al. Misplacement of a right internal jugular vein haemodialysis catheter into the mediastinum. Hong Kong Med J. 2004; 10: 135-8.Reference #2: Ball JB, Proto AV. The variable appearance of the left superior intercostal vein. Radiology 1982; 144: 445-52.Reference #3: Friedman AC, Chambers E, Sprayregen S. The normal and abnormal left superior intercostal vein. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1978; 131: 599-602.DisclosureThe following authors have nothing to disclose: Andrew Oh, Andrew SchaffrinnaNo Product/Research Disclosure Information.

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