Supradiaphragmatic central venous catheter malposition detection using the parasternal long-axis echocardiographic...

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using saline was studied to detect supradiaphragmatic central venous catheter malposition. Commonly used echocardiographic views are apical 4-chamber (A4c) and subcostal views. However, this standard method is not feasible in certain situations. We explored the feasibility of the right ventricle inflow parasternal long axis (RVI-PLAX) echocardiographic view and dextrose 50% (D50%) contrast solution for detecting supradiaphragmatic central venous catheter malposition.

This pilot study screened 60 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided supradiaphragmatic central venous catheter insertion. We compared the investigators' guidewire's J-tip detection, D50% rapid atrial swirl sign (RASS) findings on the RVI-PLAX view and the central venous catheter tip on chest radiograph. We also compared the mean capillary blood sugar level before and after the 5 ml D50% flush.

No guidewire J-tips were detected from the RVI-PLAX view. The first and second investigators' diagnosis of central venous catheter malposition detected on RVI-PLAX CEUS achieved an almost perfect agreement (κ = 1.0 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.90 to 1.0), p < .0001). The RVI-PLAX CEUS was not able to detect two central venous catheter malpositions (one atrial malposition and one left brachiocephalic vein venous catheter malposition). The capillary blood sugar was significantly elevated (8.96 mmol/L vs. 9.75 mmol/L) after D50% flush (p < 0.005) with no complications reported within 30 minutes after the D50% flush.

RVI-PLAX view should not be used for guidewire detection. CEUS using D50% and RVI-PLAX view are potentially useful tools in detecting central venous catheter malposition. Further studies comparing them with conventional methods are needed.