Confirmatory Chest Radiographs after Central Line Placement: Are They Warranted?

Hemiplegia Following Fluid Administration Through an Implanted Venous Access Device: A Case Report

Introduction

Many patients seen in the emergency department (ED) have central venous access placed or previously established placement. Catheters inadvertently placed in the arterial circulation may lead to complications or adverse events.

Case Report

We present a case of hemiplegia in a 63-year-old man following intravenous fluid administration through a malpositioned catheter that was initially unrecognized. The patient initially presented to the ED for stroke-like symptoms and was discharged following workup. On a subsequent visit for similar symptoms, intra-arterial placement of the catheter was diagnosed.

Conclusion

It is important for emergency physicians to be aware of this potential complication of central venous cannulation and that arterial malposition of a previously placed central line may go unrecognized with the potential to cause cerebral ischemia when cerebral blood flow is reduced by the infusion of intravenous fluids or medications.

Central vascular catheter placement evaluation using saline flush and bedside echocardiography

OBJECTIVES

Central venous catheter (CVC) placement is a common procedure in critical care management. The authors set out to determine echocardiographic features during a saline flush of any type of CVC. The hypothesis was that the presence of a rapid saline swirl in the right atrium on bedside echocardiography would confirm correct placement of the CVC tip, similar to the accuracy of the postplacement chest radiograph (CXR).

METHODS

This was a prospective convenience sample of emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU) patients who had CVCs placed. Investigators used subcostal or apical four-chamber echocardiography windows to evaluate the onset and appearance of turbulent flow in the right atrium when the distal port of the CVC was flushed with 10 mL of saline. Onset was rated as "immediate" (within 2 seconds), "delayed" (2 to 6 seconds), or "absent" (did not appear within 6 seconds). Appearance was rated as "prominent," "speckling," or "absent." Digital video review was used later to objectively determine precise timing of turbulence onset. The rapid atrial swirl sign (RASS) was defined as the echo appearance of turbulence entering the right atrium immediately (within 2 seconds) after the saline flush of the CVC distal port. The observance of RASS ("positive") was considered "negative" for CVC malposition. Echocardiographic results were compared to CVC tip locations within predetermined zones on the CXR. Superior vena cava (SVC) region was considered the optimal CVC tip position for subclavian and internal jugular CVC. Left CVC tips within the mid left innominate vein were also considered appropriately placed.

RESULTS

A total of 142 patients enrolled, yielding 152 CVCs. Two CVCs were excluded from analysis due to incomplete data. Both CXR and echocardiographic images for 107 internal jugular CVCs and 28 subclavian CVCs were available for analysis. Saline flush echo evaluations were also performed on 15 femoral CVCs. Either 16-cm triple-lumen or 20-cm PreSep CVCs were used. CVC malposition was discovered on CXR in four of 135 (3.0%) of the subclavian and internal jugular CVCs. RASS for subclavian and internal jugular CVC evaluations versus CXR results for CVC tip malposition yielded 75% sensitivity, 100% specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 29.24% to 100%), and negative predictive value (NPV) 99.24% (95% CI = 95.85% to 99.98%). Mean (±SD) time for onset of saline flush turbulence was 1.1 (±0.3) seconds for subclavian and internal jugular CVC tips within the target CXR zone.

CONCLUSIONS

The rapid appearance of prominent turbulence in the right atrium on echocardiography after CVC saline flush serves as a precise bedside screening test of optimal CVC tip position.

Teaching a sonographically guided invasive procedure to first-year medical students using a novel finger transducer

OBJECTIVES

The exposure to ultrasound technology in medicine is increasing at multiple training levels. Ultrasound transducers have evolved to provide higher-resolution imaging for more accurate structural identification, with few improvements in ease of use. This study investigated a novel finger ultrasound transducer used by first-year medical students conducting structural identification and practicing an invasive procedure.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted on texts, specialty journals, and websites regarding the anatomy of internal jugular and subclavian vein central line placement with sonographic guidance and the use of a finger transducer. First-year medical students performed timed sonographically guided cannulation on the internal jugular and subclavian veins on a phantom torso and identified the internal jugular and subclavian veins on a healthy volunteer using the finger transducer and a conventional transducer. After exposure to both transducers, a survey was taken regarding transducer preference.

RESULTS

The literature search revealed no studies comparing finger and classic transducers or sonographically guided central line techniques being conducted by first-year medical students. The students identified and cannulated the internal jugular and subclavian veins using both transducers. Survey results revealed that 70% of the students preferred the finger transducer.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that first-year medical students could interpret sonographic anatomy while conducting a clinical procedure. The finger transducer proved successful in structure identification and was preferred to the classic transducer because of its combined tactile presence. This pilot study of a novel finger transducer showed the benefits of combining palpatory skills with ultrasound technology in teaching first-year medical students to perform invasive procedures.

A rare anesthetic complication involving central line access during lumbar spine surgery: a case report and review

STUDY DESIGN

A case report describing a rare perioperative complication involving the intrathoracic placement of a central venous catheter during spine surgery leading to hemodynamic instability.

OBJECTIVE

To review the efficacy of central line use in perioperative spine patients and to describe the diagnosis, emergent treatment, and postoperative care of a unique case of intrathoracic extravasation of propofol.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Although placement of central line access is a safe procedure, complications can occur. A case in which a venous catheter delivering propofol into the thorax has never been documented.

METHODS

A 48-year-old woman presented for revision spine surgery, and a central line was placed. After placement of spinal instrumentation, she became hemodynamically unstable secondary to mediastinal compression caused by pressure from intraoperative propofol and fluid insufflation.

RESULTS

A chest tube was placed, and with aggressive pulmonary toilet and physical therapy, she did well and was discharged without noted symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of central line use should be carefully considered in perioperative spine surgery, and in patients with significant risk factors, placement of central venous access should be radiographically confirmed.

Chest radiograph after central line placement under fluoroscopy: utility or futility?

BACKGROUND

Postoperative portable chest films are routinely performed after fluoroscopic placement of central venous catheters to evaluate positioning and to rule out significant complications (eg, pneumothorax). Emerging evidence in the literature has called this practice into question suggesting that routine postoperative chest x-ray is unnecessary. Therefore, we investigated our recent experience to examine the utility of these films, to examine the development of symptoms relative to therapeutic intervention, and to report a cost-benefit analysis.

METHODS

After obtaining institutional review board approval, all charts of patients undergoing central venous catheter placement from January 2004 to December 2005 at our institution were reviewed. Outcome measures included whether or not there was a complication and whether or not that complication required an intervention. Peripherally inserted central catheters were not included.

RESULTS

In the study population, 237 catheters were placed in the operating room. There were two complications, both pneumothoraces (0.085%). One patient required tube thoracostomy, whereas the other was asymptomatic and the pneumothorax resolved spontaneously. Fourteen patients had no postoperative chest film without adverse consequences. Total cost for portable chest films was $56,196.

CONCLUSIONS

For catheters placed under fluoroscopic guidance, postoperative chest films in asymptomatic patients add unnecessary cost. For this reason, we feel discontinuation of postoperative chest films in asymptomatic patients undergoing catheter placement with fluoroscopy is justifiable.

Preliminary Report of a Prospective, Randomized Trial of Underwater Seal for Spontaneous and Iatrogenic Pneumothorax

BACKGROUND

Management of pneumothorax has traditionally been tube thoracostomy and -20 cm H2O suction. The purpose of our study was to determine if underwater seal in iatrogenic and spontaneous pneumothoraces is safe and efficacious and if small-caliber chest tubes are appropriate for routine use in pneumothorax.

STUDY DESIGN

From April 2001 through October 2003 patients with iatrogenic or spontaneous pneumothorax were enrolled in this prospective, randomized trial. Small-bore catheters were inserted. Initial management was 1 hour -20 cm H2O suction, chest radiography, and randomization into -20 cm H2O suction, -10 cm H2O suction, or underwater seal. Tubes were discontinued at 48 hours if there were no pneumothoraces and no air leaks. Those with air leaks and recurrent pneumothoraces persisting 5 days underwent pleurodesis. The primary end point was successful chest tube removal at 48 hours. The secondary end point was need for pleurodesis.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients were analyzed. Seven were randomized to -20 cm H2O suction, 11 to -10 cm H2O suction, and 11 to underwater seal. Most (59%, 17 of 29) chest tubes were successfully removed 48 hours after placement: 57% (4 of 7) after -20 cm H2O suction, 73% (8 of 11) after -10 cm H2O suction, and 45% (5 of 11) after underwater seal (p = 0.48). Seven (24%) required pleurodesis: 29% (2 of 7) after -20 cm H2O suction, 27% (3 of 11) after -10 cm H2O suction, and 18% (2 of 11) after underwater seal (p = 0.70).

CONCLUSIONS

Early underwater seal appears to be safe for treating iatrogenic and spontaneous pneumothoraces. It can achieve comparable frequencies of early chest tube removal and avoidance of operation compared with traditional management. A larger, multi-institutional study should be performed to demonstrate that pneumothorax treatment can effectively incorporate small-caliber tubes and underwater seal.

A prospective analysis of living-liver donation shows a high rate of adverse events

Donor risk is the main obstacle in the development of living-donor liver transplantation in Western countries. The knowledge of a wide and uneven range of donor morbidity has come mainly from various retrospective analyses of complications in the literature. Donor outcomes have not been prospectively analyzed. From 1995, the intra- and postoperative courses of 127 living-donor hepatectomies were prospectively analyzed and recorded. All adverse events were classified and stratified according to the extent of surgery, including 45 left-lateral sectionectomies (LLS); 25 left hepatectomies (LH), and 57 right hepatectomies (RH). There was no donor death. The overall rate of significant complications was 20%, ranging from 8% after LH to 32% after RH. The overall incidences of surgical complications, reoperations, and hospital readmissions were 8%, 3%, and 5%, respectively. However, the prospective accumulation of all adverse events revealed an overall postoperative morbidity of 51%, ranging from 32% after LH to 66% after RH. In conclusion the incidence of postoperative adverse events after living donation is nearly 50% as revealed by prospective screening. These results allow more accurate information for potential donors. This study confirms that right hepatectomy carries three times higher risk of morbidity as compared to left-sided resections, leading to reappraisal of the use of left grafts in adults.

Traumatic complications from placement of thoracic catheters and tubes

The volume of critically ill patients requiring stabilization in emergency departments (EDs) throughout the USA has increased from 42 million per year in 1960 to over 92 million in 1990, as reported by Goldstein [Crit Care Clinics 21(1):81-89, 2005] and Rivers et al. [Curr Opin Crit Care 8(6):600-606, 2002]. With the increase in this patient population, the number of procedures, both invasive and noninvasive, performed in the ED to improve clinical outcomes has also increased. Therefore, emergency medicine physicians must add to their repertoire the ability to recognize potentially fatal traumatic complications. This review will provide readers with imaging findings of traumatic complications from placement of thoracic catheters and tubes and briefly discuss pitfalls of performing these procedures. In particular, complications arising from placement of hemodialysis catheters, central venous catheters, Swan-Ganz catheters, chest tubes, nasogastric and feeding tubes, and endotracheal tubes will be reviewed.

Is Chest Radiography Necessary After Uncomplicated Insertion of a Triple-Lumen Catheter in the Right Internal Jugular Vein, Using the Anterior Approach?

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Chest radiographs are required in many institutions by protocol after the insertion of a right internal jugular vein triple-lumen catheter (TLC), even if the anterior approach is used. This study investigates whether correct placement can be predicted during insertion and whether a "routine" postprocedural chest radiograph can be safely omitted.

DESIGN

The operators included 18 first-, second-, or third-year medical residents, 3 pulmonary fellows, and a board-certified pulmonary medicine and critical care attending, with at least 1 certified physician present during the procedure. All operators were trained in the "seven number rule."

PATIENTS

One hundred consecutive patients who required central venous access. Patients with left internal jugular vein or subclavian catheters were excluded.

SETTING

Single institution, medical ICU, step-down unit, and floors.

INTERVENTIONS

Right internal jugular vein TLC insertion, anterior approach, with subsequent chest radiograph.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Eighty-eight patients had uncomplicated insertions, as defined by fewer than four sticks with a 22-gauge pathfinder needle and fewer than four slides with the 18-gauge introducer needle. Ninety-eight catheters were in accurate position, 1 catheter was in the distal superior cava vein, and 1 catheter was in an S-shaped position.

CONCLUSIONS

It is safe to omit the routine chest radiograph after uncomplicated insertion of a TLC. i.v. treatment can be initiated early. However, if there is any doubt about the correct position, a chest radiograph should be obtained.