Towards Optimal Central Venous Catheter Tip Position

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are required in many critically ill patients. As with most invasive procedures, central venous catheterisation is associated with numerous potential complications, many of which stem from the access procedure. Other serious complications are related to the catheter tip position. Secondary to CVC misplacement, there is significant morbidity and mortality associated with complications such as perforation of the vessel, thrombosis, extravasation and arrhythmias with its related consequences. In clinical practice, methods used to determine CVC tip position are chest radiography and ECG guidance of the CVC during the insertion procedure.