Ultrasound Guidance versus the Landmark Technique for the Placement of Central Venous Catheters in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Emergency physicians with limited training and experience are able to use ultrasound as an adjunct for central venous access. Ultrasound technology may decrease the number of CVA attempts required to cannulate a central vein and will decrease the amount of time required to cannulate the vein starting from the time when the needle is on the skin, after the ultrasound machine has been set up and turned on. These results are especially true for those patients considered to be "difficult sticks."