Central venous catheter placement in hemodialysis: evaluation of electrocardiography using a guide-wire

Internal jugular vein cannulation has become a routine and clinically important aspect of medical care in hemodialysis patients. Mismanagement in the location of a central venous catheter may occur in up to 20% of cases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of endocavitary electrocardiography in right internal jugu-lar vein placement of central venous catheters. We examined 327 central venous catheterizations performed in two Dialysis Units; all catheters were positioned using intra-atrial ECG monitoring by guide-wire and after, by catheter filled with NaCl solution. EC-ECG via guide-wire was successful on 321 occasions (98.1%). Correct placement of the catheter was confirmed by EC-ECG via catheter in each case, and by plain chest-X-ray only in the first hundred cases. In 314 patients (98.1%), insertion of the catheter was successful at the first attempt. In 6 catheterizations, no atrial trace was obtained due to atrial fibrillation in 4 cases, and in 2 cases technical error and guide-wire looping into a right jugular vein. Complications as a direct result of guide-wire or catheter placement were not observed. In our opinion this method can be used safely and makes radiological control usually unnecessary. (The Journal of Vascular Access 2001; 2: 45-50).