Size variation between contralateral infraclavicular axillary veins within individual patients-implications for subclavian venous central line insertion

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Vein size and use of dynamic ultrasound guidance have been shown to be directly related to a reduction in insertion failure and complication rates during subclavian vein catheterization. We hypothesized that contralateral infraclavicular axillary vein sizes are significantly different within the same patient. We also aimed to demonstrate the relationship of subject's anthropomorphic indices with vein size and contralateral vein size difference. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Operating theatre of a tertiary hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty adult elective and emergency surgical patients. INTERVENTIONS: The largest dimensions of each patient's left and right infraclavicul..