N Reynolds1, A S McCulloch, C R Pennington, R J MacFadyen. 1. Department of Digestive Disease and Clinical Nutrition, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, Scotland. drreynolds@angus-nhs.finix.org.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Central vein catheter position is a vital element in promoting longevity and minimizing adverse events associated with long-term parenteral nutrition. Traditionally, position has been verified using a chest radiograph. However, this mode of assessment has limitations as the catheter is placed in a dynamic system subject to forces from changes in posture and diaphragmatic movement. METHODS: We compared the reported position using a chest x-ray compared with assessment using transesophageal echocardiology (TOE) in 9 patients receiving home parenteral nutrition. The x-ray was reported by a radiologist unaware of the study. RESULTS: There were discordant results in 7 of the 9 cases with catheter tip placed in the right atrium or impinging in the tricuspid valve which was not evident from the chest x-ray. TOE offered greater information of catheter tip position and relationship to adjacent anatomy. CONCLUSIONS: Further work is required but this observational study suggests guidelines suggesting the use of a chest radiograph to confirm catheter position may need to be re-assessed.
BACKGROUND: Central vein catheter position is a vital element in promoting longevity and minimizing adverse events associated with long-term parenteral nutrition. Traditionally, position has been verified using a chest radiograph. However, this mode of assessment has limitations as the catheter is placed in a dynamic system subject to forces from changes in posture and diaphragmatic movement. METHODS: We compared the reported position using a chest x-ray compared with assessment using transesophageal echocardiology (TOE) in 9 patients receiving home parenteral nutrition. The x-ray was reported by a radiologist unaware of the study. RESULTS: There were discordant results in 7 of the 9 cases with catheter tip placed in the right atrium or impinging in the tricuspid valve which was not evident from the chest x-ray. TOE offered greater information of catheter tip position and relationship to adjacent anatomy. CONCLUSIONS: Further work is required but this observational study suggests guidelines suggesting the use of a chest radiograph to confirm catheter position may need to be re-assessed.
Authors: Massimo Lamperti; Andrew R Bodenham; Mauro Pittiruti; Michael Blaivas; John G Augoustides; Mahmoud Elbarbary; Thierry Pirotte; Dimitrios Karakitsos; Jack Ledonne; Stephanie Doniger; Giancarlo Scoppettuolo; David Feller-Kopman; Wolfram Schummer; Roberto Biffi; Eric Desruennes; Lawrence A Melniker; Susan T Verghese Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2012-05-22 Impact factor: 17.440