Neurologic complications associated with internal jugular vein cannulation in critically ill patients: a prospective study.

To determine the frequency of neurologic complications after internal jugular cannulation, we performed a prospective study in 66 consecutive critically ill patients. Of these 66 patients, one had Horner's syndrome probably associated with a large carotid sheath hematoma (2%; 95% CI, 1 to 8%). No cerebrovascular complications occurred. The frequency of neurologic complications following internal jugular vein catheterization is low in critical illness.