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Central Venous Catheterization: Subclavian Approach (Training Physician)

PRE-PROCEDURE
INDICATIONS
  • Administration of agents into the central vasculature
  • Central circulation and intracardiac access
  • Maintenance of venous access
  • Hemodialysis and plasmapheresis
CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Absolute contraindications
    • Adequate peripheral IV access (see Intravenous Cannulation for further details.
    • Operator inexperience
    • Uncooperative patient
  • Relative contraindications
    • Significant uncorrectable bleeding disorder
    • Injury or thrombosis in the target vessel or SVC
    • Inability to tolerate pneumothorax
    • Assisted ventilation with high end-expiratory pressure
  • Contraindications unique to the subclavian approach
    • For patients with a significant bleeding disorder, an internal jugular or femoral approach may be more appropriate
    • Surgery or trauma to the clavicle, first rib, or subclavian vessels
    • Administration of thrombolytic medication
EQUIPMENT
  • Central venous catheterization kit
    • Clear fenestrated plastic drape
    • Paper drape
    • Chlorhexidine antiseptic with applicators
    • 1% Lidocaine
    • Small anesthetizing needle (25 gauge × 1 inch)
    • Large anesthetizing/finder needle (22 gauge × 1.5 inch)
    • Introducer needle (18 gauge × 2.5 inch)
    • Several syringes, 5 mL each
    • J-tipped guidewire with housing and a straightener sleeve
    • Scalpel with a No. 11 blade
    • Skin dilator
    • Catheter (e.g., triple lumen or sheath introducer)
    • Gauze pads
    • Suture with curved needle
    • Disposable needle holder
  • Sterile gloves, sterile gown, cap, and mask with a fluid shield for each member of the insertion team **STERILE TECHNIQUE** **UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS**
  • Large sterile drape (half-sheet)
  • Lidocaine 1% (often provided in the kit, although extra may be required)
  • Sterile saline suitable for injection
  • Sterile dressing (e.g., Tegaderm, 3M Corporation, Huntingdon Valley, PA)
ANATOMY
  • Subclavian vein
    • As the subclavian vein crosses the first rib, it lies posterior to the junction between the medial third and lateral two thirds of the clavicle.
    • The subclavian arteries are located posterior to the veins and are separated from them by the scalene muscles.
    • The right pleural dome is lower than the left and the thoracic duct is located on the left, thus making the right side preferred over the left.
Subclavian central venous catheter
Figure 1 :  Subclavian central venous catheter

Advantages and disadvantages of the subclavian approach
Table 1 :  Advantages and disadvantages of the subclavian approach

Equipment
Figure 6 :  Equipment

Subclavian anatomy
Figure 10 :  Subclavian anatomy


PROCEDURE
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Insert the introducer needle (infraclavicular approach)
Figure 17 :  Insert the introducer needle (infraclavicular approach)

Advance the guidewire into the vessel
Figure 21 :  Advance the guidewire into the vessel

Advance the triple-lumen catheter over the wire
Figure 24 :  Advance the triple-lumen catheter over the wire


POST-PROCEDURE
CARE
  • Confirmation of line placement
  • Dressing changes at least every 72 hours
COMPLICATIONS
  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Pneumothorax See Needle Thoracostomy for further details.
  • Thrombosis
  • Air embolization
  • Arrhythmia
  • Myocardial perforation
  • Nerve injury
The tip of the left subclavian catheter is seen in the superior vena cava
Figure 27 :  The tip of the left subclavian catheter is seen in the superior vena cava

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