Comparison of central venous catheterization with and without ultrasound guide

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness, safety and time needed to perform central venous catheterization (CVC) in the presence or absence of an ultrasound (US) guide. Methods: Between January 1999 and February 2002 we performed CVCs in 196 patients: 105 patients received US guided CVC (group I) and 91 patients had CVC without US guide (group II). Results: The average time to perform CVC was shorter with US guide (4 vs 7min). The utilization of the US guide was also associated with improved success (98.09% vs 91.2%, p < 0.025) and lack of major complications (0% vs 9.8%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: US-guided CVC affords an easier, safer and more rapid cannulation of a central vein. It is especially helpful in those patients with anatomical variation or difficult veins (small or not visible, non-palpable landmarks) and in those with coagulative disorders.