Real-time ultrasound-aided central vein cannulation failure rate: establishing a benchmark

The use of real-time two-dimensional B-mode ultrasound (RTUS)-aided central venous access device (CVAD) insertion has been recommended by health-care agencies, but a realistic failure rate for bedside attempts is unknown.

The failure rate of RTUS-aided CVAD insertion is estimated using data from adult inpatients and outpatients referred to a tertiary referral radiology department for a new CVAD insertion during the 2.5-year period ending February 29, 2008. Cannulation failure, complications, and additional fluoroscopic interventions per central vein cannulation attempt and per patient encounter were retrospectively collected and evaluated.

Of the 2456 consecutive patient encounters, the index central vein cannulation failure rate using only RTUS and fluoroscopy was 4.8%; ultimate failure rate was 0.3%. The procedural mortality rate was 0.04%. If the index upper-body central vein cannulation failed, an ipsilateral upper-body attempt through a different central vein failed in 63.6%, whereas a contralateral upper-body attempt failed in 26.7% (p = 0.11) and a common femoral vein attempt failed in 11.5% (p = 0.0039).

The minimum bedside failure rate of RTUS-aided CVAD insertion is 4.8% for the index central vein cannulated. The ultimate failure rate of 0.3% and the mortality rate of 0.04% are due to RTUS, fluoroscopy, and the additional equipment available in an IR suite. If the upper-body index central vein cannulation fails, cannulation of the common femoral vein is more likely to succeed than additional attempts in other ipsilateral upper-body central veins.