Management of inadvertent carotid artery sheath insertion during central venous catheter placement

Inadvertent carotid sheath insertion during central venous catheter placement could lead to serious complications.

To describe management of inadvertent carotid artery sheath insertion placed intraoperatively during attempted jugular venous cannulation for pulmonary artery catheter placement.

In a retrospective medical record review of patients from hospitals affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, a total of 12 patients over 11 years who sustained intraoperative carotid artery introducer sheath placement during attempted jugular vein cannulation were identified. Six patients underwent immediate carotid artery exploration with sheath removal and primary repair. The remaining 6 patients underwent percutaneous closure using a suture-mediated closure device. Treatment outcomes of these 2 groups were analyzed.

Technical success, duration of treatment, stroke, return to the operating room, and long-term outcomes.

Technical success was achieved in all patients in both groups. The intended operations were aborted in all patients following catheter removal and carotid artery closure. The mean (SD) durations of treatment for the operative and endovascular groups were 32 (12) minutes and 6 (3) minutes, respectively (P = .03). No neurological deficit occurred in either group. The intended operations were all subsequently performed, and the mean delays of operation in the operative and endovascular groups were 5 and 3 days, respectively (P = .20). Follow-up carotid duplex showed no injury of the repaired artery in either group. During a mean follow-up of 42 months, no complications or neurological deficits were noted in either patient cohort.

Inadvertent carotid artery sheath placement during attempted central venous cannulation for pulmonary artery catheter insertion mandates catheter removal and repair of the carotid artery puncture site. The closure device permits percutaneous repair of the carotid artery expeditiously. Our experience showed this treatment modality to be as safe and effective as operative repair.