Jugular venous pulsations as the sole landmark for percutaneous internal jugular cannulation

Successful internal jugular venous cannulations were obtained in 210 of 212 consecutive patients using the venous pulsations as the sole landmark with which to locate the vein. Jugular venous blood was aspirated on the initial insertion of a 23-gauge seeker needle in 87.7% of the patients and successful passage of either a 14- or 8-French cannula occurred on the first attempt in 82.5% of patients. The ease, success and relative safety of this technique compare favourably with other techniques. The carotid artery was punctured in three patients (1.5%).