Subclavian catheterization for the placement of a ventriculovenous shunt.

Repeated nonfunction of the distal end of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt led to an unsuccessful attempt to introduce the distal catheter into the vena cava through the jugular vein. Subclavian catheterization utilizing a cardiac pacemaker introducer set proved to be a simple and effective means of establishing a ventriculovenous shunt.