Volume 15, Number 1, January-February 2008

Ultrasound-guided central venous access
Christopher P Gale, Andrew R Bodenham

Central venous catheterisation is ubiquitous in hospital practice. Complications may occur in 10% of cases using surface landmark techniques.1,2 When used to locate vessels and give real-time guidance, ultrasound limits these complications.3 The UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) suggests ultrasound guidance is used for elective cannulation of the internal jugular vein. However, similar advantages are seen for cannulation of veins and arteries at other sites in elective and acute situations.

Br J Cardiol 2008;15:51-54.

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