Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Right Brachiocephalic and Right Subclavian Vein Cannulation in Adult Patients

The Study of the Feasibility of Ultrasound-guided Catheterization of the Right Brachiocephalic Vein in Adult Patients: A Prospective Observational Study

Background

The brachiocephalic vein (BCV) is a feasible option for central venous access in the pediatric population and is rapidly developing as an alternative site for insertion of the central line in young children with faster insertion times, fewer attempts, and lower rates of complications. However, studies demonstrating the feasibility of BCV catheterization in adult patients are insufficient. The current study sought to assess the safety and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular right BCV cannulations in adults.

Methods

A linear array Ultrasound (US) probe was used to obtain a longitudinal picture of the BCV beginning at the junction of the internal jugular vein and the subclavian vein in the supraclavicular region. Under US supervision, the needle was guided into the BCV using the in-plane approach. A prospective study was performed on 80 adult patients scheduled for elective and emergency operative procedures under general anesthesia requiring a central venous catheter (CVC). Success rates and complications that occurred during catheter insertion were analyzed.

Results

CVC placement was successful in all adults. The procedure was successful at the first attempt in 74 cases (92.5%) and after 2 attempts in six patients (7.5%). The time to guide wire insertion was 31.26 s (19-58 s), and catheter insertion took 88.44 s (63-145 s). The mean length of catheter insertion was 10.46 cm. No complications were noted.

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular BCV catheterization offers a new and safe method for central venous line catheterization in adults. However, larger trials and meta-analyses are needed to confirm these findings and evaluate the safety of this technique.

Comparison of ultrasound guided supraclavicular subclavian vein versus infraclavicular subclavian/axillary vein catheterization: A systematic review and meta analysis

BACKGROUND

Subclavian vein cannulation is an important technique of central venous cannulation with a supraclavicular and an infraclavicular approach. There are randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which highlight the various differences between these two approaches when accessed via ultrasound. We undertook a meta-analysis to compare the ultrasound guided supraclavicular subclavian and the infraclavicular subclavian/axillary vein cannulation, keeping in mind that the infraclavicular approach may lead to cannulation of either subclavian/axillary vein.

METHODS

This meta-analysis encompassed studies that compared ultrasound-guided supraclavicular subclavian vein and infraclavicular subclavian/axillary vein. Binary outcomes were presented as odds ratios (OR), while continuous outcomes were presented as standardized mean differences (SMD) accompanied by 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Potential trials meeting the eligibility criteria were sought from databases including PubMed, PubMed Central, The Cochrane Library, and EMBASE, covering the period from inception to April 30, 2023.

RESULTS

The analysis comprised a total of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one retrospective observational study collectively involving 1812 patients. The first pass success rate for subclavian vein catheterization was found to be greater with the supraclavicular approach (OR = 1.91 [95% CI 1.04-3.50]; p = 0.0002; I2 = 77%). Moreover, the supraclavicular approach exhibited a significantly shorter catheterization time compared to the infraclavicular approach (SMD = -0.26 [95% CI -0.54 to 0.03]; p = 0.003; I2 = 73%). Notably, there was no substantial disparity in complication rates between the two approaches (OR = 0.66 [95% CI 0.35-1.24]; p = 0.20; I2 = 0%).

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular approach for subclavian vein catheterization is superior to the infraclavicular approach for subclavian/axillary vein catheterization, with higher first-pass success rates, shorter catheterization times. However, there were no differences in the complication rates.

Review article: Feasibility of brachiocephalic vein central venous access for the resuscitation of shocked adult trauma patients: A literature review

Venous access is a key component of managing haemorrhagic shock. Obtaining intravenous access in trauma patients is challenging due to circulatory collapse in shock. This literature review examines the feasibility of direct puncture and cannulation of the brachiocephalic veins (BCVs) for intravenous access in shocked adult trauma patients. Three literature searches were conducted. OVID Medline was searched for articles on the use of the BCVs for venous access in adults and on the BCVs in shock. A third systematic search of OVID Medline, OVID Embase and Cochrane Library was conducted on the use of the BCVs for access in shocked trauma patients. After full-text review, 18 studies were selected for inclusion for the search on the use of the BCVs for access in adults. No studies met the inclusion criteria for the search on the BCVs in shock and BCV access in shocked trauma patients. The BCVs are currently used for central venous access, haemodialysis and totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) in adults. There is a preference for the right BCV (RBCV) over the left as the RBCV is more superficial, straighter, larger, has less anatomical variation and avoids the risk of thoracic duct puncture. The BCVs appear to be stabilised in shock by surrounding bony structures. The BCVs may provide a site for initial, rapid access in trauma resuscitation. Further research is required to determine if the BCVs collapse in shock and if venous access using the BCVs is feasible in a trauma resuscitation setting.

Comparison of supraclavicular brachiocephalic and femoral vein approaches for tunneled dialysis catheter placement in patients with thrombosed internal jugular veins

INTRODUCTION

There is still debate on the best access route in case of bilateral internal jugular vein thrombosis. We aimed to compare the safety, effectiveness, and outcomes of tunneled dialysis catheter placement via supraclavicular brachiocephalic and femoral vein approaches in patients with bilateral internal jugular vein thrombosis.

METHODS

Between January 2018 and December 2021, data of the patients in whom tunneled dialysis catheters were placed via the supraclavicular brachiocephalic vein (n = 42) and femoral vein (n = 57) approaches were extracted. Patient demographics, technical and clinical success rates, complications, and outcomes were noted. The Likert scale was used to assess patient satisfaction.

FINDINGS

Forty two (42.4%) patients were men, and the mean age was 61.9 (range, 12-93) years. The technical and clinical success rate was 100% for both groups. No major complication was encountered. The mean follow-up period was 497.5 (range, 32-1698) catheter days. Thirty-day patency was similar for the brachiocephalic vein and femoral vein group (40 [95.2%] vs. 55 [96.5%], p = 0.754). Also, primary and cumulative patency rates were comparable (p = 0.158; p = 0.660). The infection rate was 2.6 and 4.1 per 1000 catheter days for the brachiocephalic vein and femoral vein group. The infection-free survival was significantly higher in the brachiocephalic vein group (71.9% vs. 35.3% at 12 months, p < 0.001). Patient satisfaction was higher in the brachiocephalic vein group (median satisfaction, 5 vs. 4, p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Both supraclavicular brachiocephalic vein and femoral vein approaches have high technical and clinical success with comparable patency rates. However, low infection rate and high patient satisfaction make the supraclavicular brachiocephalic vein approach a reasonable alternative before proceeding to the femoral vein access.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein cannulation versus supraclavicular approach to brachiocephalic vein cannulation– A prospective, single-blind, randomised study

Background and Aims:

The internal jugular vein (IJV) is the most common site for central venous cannulation. Ultrasonography (USG)-guided brachiocephalic vein (BCV) cannulation has been described recently. The objective of this study was to compare the first attempt success rate, overall success rate and procedural ease between two techniques.

Methods:

This was a prospective, single-blinded, randomised clinical study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups using computer generated random table. Group IJV included 55 patients of USG-guided out-of-plane approach to the right IJV cannulation and group BCV included 55 patients for USG-guided supraclavicular in-plane approach to right BCV cannulation. The success rate, number of redirections needed, vein and needle tip visualisation, cannulation time and complication rate were compared between the groups.

Results:

Demographic parameters were similar between the groups. Success rate of cannulation was 98.5% in IJV group and 100% in group BCV (P = 0.31). The first attempt success rate was 76.3% and 81.81% in IJV and BCV group, respectively (P = 0.42). IJV was collapsed in 14.5% cases and BCV was collapsed in 0.9% cases. The needle visualisation was better in BCV group (94.54%) compared to IJV (80%) (P = 0.02) group, which was statistically significant. The numbers of redirections of needle were more in IJV group. Thus the procedural ease was better with BCV than IJV.

Conclusion:

Supraclavicular USG-guided in-plane BCV cannulation is a good alternative to USG-guided out-of-plane IJV cannulation, because of good calibre of the vein and better needle visualisation in the BCV group.

Perioperative and Postoperative Complications of Supraclavicular, Ultrasound-Guided, Totally Implantable Venous Access Port via the Brachiocephalic Vein in Adult Patients: A Retrospective Multicentre Study

PURPOSE

The totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) provides patients with safe, effective and long-term convenient venous access for the administration of medications such as chemotherapy drugs. The implantation and long-term use of TIVAP are related to thrombosis, infection and other complications. In this study, the medical records of multicentre patients were collected, and the perioperative and postoperative complications were retrospectively analysed to objectively evaluate the safety of the implantation of supraclavicular, ultrasound-guided TIVAP via the brachiocephalic vein (BCV).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 433 adult patients who had undergone ultrasound-guided TIVAP implantation via the BCV at four hospitals in China from March 2018 to May 2019. The success rates of the first puncture, operation time, and perioperative and postoperative complications were analysed.

RESULTS

All the TIVAPs were implanted successfully (100%). The average TIVAP carrying time was 318.15 ±44.22 days (range: 38-502 days) for a total of 197,694 catheter days. The success rate of the first puncture was 94.92% (411/433), and the average operation time was 29.66 ±7.45 min (range: 18-60 min). The perioperative complications included arterial puncture in 4 patients and pneumothorax in 1 patient. The incidence of postoperative complications was 5.08% (22/433), including poor incision healing (n = 2), catheter-related infection (n = 3), port infection (n = 6), thrombosis (n = 2) and fibrin sheath formation (n = 8). Another patient had infusion disturbance 2 days after the operation, and chest X-ray showed bending at the connection between the catheter and port. No other serious complications occurred, such as catheter rupture and drug leakage. The total incidence of complications was 6.24% (27/433).

CONCLUSION

This study showed excellent tolerance of supraclavicular, ultrasound-guided BCV puncture to implant TIVAP and a low incidence of complications. As a safe and effective method of TIVAP implantation, it can provide a new choice for clinicians.