Considerations in placement of right internal jugular cannulas

J H Waters1, K Gimenez

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, University of California at Irvine, Orange, USA.

Insights

This case report details a patient experiencing paroxysmal ventricular bigeminy. The arrhythmia resolved after removing an internal jugular infusion catheter, suggesting catheter-induced cardiac events.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Paroxysmal ventricular bigeminy can present with unclear causes.
  • Intracardiac catheters are common in critical care settings.

Observation:

  • A patient developed ventricular bigeminy with an unrecognized etiology.
  • The arrhythmia correlated with the patient's head position.
  • A single-lumen infusion catheter showed a ventricular pressure waveform.

Findings:

  • Removal of the internal jugular infusion catheter led to the resolution of ventricular ectopy.
  • The catheter's presence and position likely induced the arrhythmia.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a potential iatrogenic cause of ventricular arrhythmias.
  • Clinicians should consider catheter-induced mechanical irritation as a cause of unexplained arrhythmias.
  • Proper catheter placement and monitoring are crucial in preventing such complications.

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