Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

The Supraclavicular Fossa Ultrasound View for Central Venous Catheter Placement and Catheter Change Over Guidewire
07:47

The Supraclavicular Fossa Ultrasound View for Central Venous Catheter Placement and Catheter Change Over Guidewire

Published on: December 23, 2014

Three-dimensional anatomy of the left central veins: implications for dialysis catheter placement

Erez Salik1, Aditya Daftary, Michael G Tal

  • 1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Section of Interventional Radiology, Saint Vincent's Medical Center, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606, USA. esalik@gmail.com

Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology : JVIR
|March 23, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Left brachiocephalic vein angulation is common and may impact dialysis catheter placement. This anatomical finding, often unseen on standard imaging, could contribute to catheter complications.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Vascular Anatomy
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Left-sided central venous access is crucial for hemodialysis.
  • Understanding the three-dimensional anatomy of central veins is vital for safe catheter placement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define the three-dimensional anatomy of the left central veins.
  • To assess the implications for left-sided dialysis catheter placement.

Main Methods:

  • Computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography images from 30 patients were analyzed.
  • Key parameters measured included left brachiocephalic vein diameters and venous angulations.
  • Specific measurements focused on the left internal jugular vein, left brachiocephalic vein, and superior vena cava junctions.

Main Results:

  • Left brachiocephalic vein cross-sectional diameters remained consistent throughout the mediastinum.
  • Mean angulation between the left internal jugular and brachiocephalic veins was 117 degrees.
  • Mean angulation of the left brachiocephalic vein over the aorta/arch vessels was 106 degrees.

Conclusions:

  • A sharp angulation of the left brachiocephalic vein is a common anatomical variation.
  • This angulation is not visible on standard frontal radiographs or venograms.
  • This anatomical feature may contribute to higher complication rates with left-sided hemodialysis catheters.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Quantifying Inferior Vena Cava Compliance and Distensibility in an In Vivo Ovine Model Using 3D Angiography07:53

Quantifying Inferior Vena Cava Compliance and Distensibility in an In Vivo Ovine Model Using 3D Angiography

Published on: April 26, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization01:24

Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization

Left heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the function and structure of the left side of the heart. It is generally performed to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions such as valve abnormalities, coronary artery disease, and congenital heart defects.Diagnostic and therapeutic purposesLeft heart catheterization serves various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Assessing coronary artery bypass grafts.Evaluating coronary artery disease in...
Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization01:21

Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization

Right Heart Catheterization: An OverviewRight heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure that measures right-sided cardiac and pulmonary artery pressures, calculates cardiac output, and identifies intracardiac shunts. It provides detailed hemodynamic data essential for diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension.Access SitesCommon access sites for right heart catheterization include the internal jugular vein in the neck region, the...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
Hemodialysis I: Introduction01:25

Hemodialysis I: Introduction

Hemodialysis (HD) is a medical treatment that artificially removes waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to perform these functions effectively. In this process, blood is filtered through a semipermeable membrane, allowing for the selective removal of waste while preserving necessary components like blood cells and proteins. Hemodialysis is typically performed in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or severe kidney...
Overview of Systemic Veins01:11

Overview of Systemic Veins

Systemic veins are crucial blood vessels that return deoxygenated blood from various body tissues back to the heart. There are three systemic veins that return deoxygenated blood to the heart, they are as follows.
The coronary sinus, the heart's principal vein, resides in the coronary sulcus on the heart's posterior aspect. This broad venous channel receives nearly all venous blood from the myocardium, the heart muscle. It is fed by three primary veins: the great cardiac vein, the middle...
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:20

Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...