A survey of the use of ultrasound guidance in internal jugular venous cannulation*

Abstract

Summary It has been that suggested the use of two dimensional (2D) ultrasound to facilitate placement of central venous cannulae in the internal jugular vein improves patient safety and reduces complications. Since the introduction of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence Technology Appraisal Guideline Number 49 in 2002, promoting the use of ultrasound in placement of internal jugular venous cannulae, utilisation of ultrasound has increased throughout the United Kingdom. We report the findings of a postal survey of 2000 senior anaesthetists in the United Kingdom which enquired about their use of ultrasound for internal jugular vein cannulae placement. Only 27% use 2D ultrasound as their first choice technique, although 35% use it as their first choice when teaching. There was no significant difference in practice between those working within a sub specialty in anaesthesia. There continues to be discrepancies between the application of the guideline and how senior anaesthetists both site and teach the placement of internal jugular vein central venous cannulae.

Ultrasound for central venous cannulation – are you trained to use it?

“…We read with interest the McGrattan et al [1] survey on the use of ultrasound guidance in internal jugular venous cannulation. They reported that only 27% of senior anaesthetists use ultrasound as their first choice technique for internal jugular vein cannulation.…”

“…A We read with interest McGrattan et al's [1] postal survey on the use of ultrasound imaging for internal jugular venous cannulation. We agree with the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) that experienced operators can achieve high success rates with few complications using traditional techniques.…”

“…Deep brain stimulation uses electrical stimulation to safely and effectively manage some of the most disabling motor symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease and essential tremor [1][2][3]. It is normally implanted subcutaneously in the chest wall and has connections to bilaterally implanted electrodes in targeted cells in the subthalamic nucleus.…”

Ultrasound for central venous cannulation: surveys before and after NICE guidance

“…Our survey [1] was conducted in the latter half of 2006 over a 5-month period, 4 years after publication of NICE and 6 years after the authors' survey [2]. We accept that the results from both surveys demonstrate there has been a marked increase in the availability of ultrasound in critical care areas and a subsequent increase in use for placement of central venous catheters.…”

“…McGrattan et al [1] survey the use of ultrasound for internal jugular vein cannulation and part of this can be compared to our survey of 2000 [2]. Twenty-three percent of McGrattan et al's respondents were based in critical care, and it is this group that can be compared with our survey which questioned critical care doctors.…”