Central venous access in critically ill patients in the emergency department

Several techniques of percutaneous venipuncture and cut-downs for insertion of intravenous catheters and the respective clinical results are described. We believe that puncture of the subclavian vein from above the clavicle in the segment of the veins over the first rib is the safest anatomic approach to the vein. The first rib under the vein shields the pleural dome and the apex of the lung against the needle puncture, and the tip of the needle is directed away from the apex of the lung. Insertion of double and multiple IV catheters in one vein, adjacent veins, or even veins located away from each other is safe and much less costly than the double- and triple-lumen catheters. The special and unconventional venous cut-downs for providing IV access described here in patients with difficult access may be life saving. The experience with vascular access in our institution indicates that supervised training in vascular access and the personal experience of each physician with these techniques and teamwork help to reduce potential complications.