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Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2020 Aug 3;59:102852. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, PO Box 610041, No. 37 Guo Xue Street, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, PR China; Department of Breast Surgery/Tumor Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, PO Box 610041, No. 37 Guo Xue Street, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, PR China.

Introduction: Central venous catheter applications and complications are closely related to the tip position. Previous studies have reported some rare cases of catheter misplacement. Here, we report a case of misplacement of a peripherally inserted central catheter into the lateral thoracic vein. Read More

J Vasc Access 2020 Mar 1:1129729820904866. Epub 2020 Mar 1.

Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, The Affiliated Shanghai Songjiang Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Shanghai, China.

Background: Ultrasound-guided axillary vein catheterization is now widely used in hospital, but it remains uncertain whether the distal axillary vein approach is more beneficial for seniors than the proximal axillary vein approach. This study aims to compare the puncture success rate and anatomical characteristics between these two approaches.

Methods: Senior patients requiring central venous catheterization were enrolled and randomized to the proximal axillary vein group ( = 49) or the distal axillary vein group ( = 50). Read More

Minerva Anestesiol 2020 02 6;86(2):121-123. Epub 2019 Dec 6.

Intensive Care Unit, Department of Emergency, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy -

J Anesth 2020 Apr 30;34(2):167-186. Epub 2019 Nov 30.

Central venous catheterization is a basic skill applicable in various medical fields. However, because it may occasionally cause lethal complications, we developed this practical guide that will help a novice operator successfully perform central venous catheterization using ultrasound guidance. The focus of this practical guide is patient safety. Read More

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2020 Jan 2;31(1):293-299. Epub 2019 Dec 2.

Division of Cardiology, Electrophysiology Section, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The standard technique for percutaneous catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) involves obtaining left atrial access and catheter manipulation from an inferior transfemoral venous access. However, in patients with inferior vena cava interruption, a standard transfemoral venous approach is not possible. In these cases, a percutaneous approach from a superior central vein, such as the internal jugular vein or the axillary/subclavian vein can be considered. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Nov;98(46):e18007

Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Long-term venous access is usually required in patients receiving chemotherapy. We hypothesized that, out of the various central line approach techniques, the cephalic vein cut-down technique can be a safe and simple alternative in terms of surgical safety, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and functional outcomes.We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 569 patients who underwent implantable central venous access between January 2012 and December 2014 at our hospital. Read More

Clin Radiol 2020 Feb 8;75(2):158.e1-158.e7. Epub 2019 Nov 8.

Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 1 Jianshe E Rd, Erqi Qu, Zhengzhou Shi, Henan Sheng, PR China.

Aim: To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of interventional treatment for arterial injury during blind, central venous catheterisation in the upper thorax at two tertiary medical centres.

Materials And Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients (37-81 years; M:F=8:10) who underwent interventional treatment for the arterial injuries that occurred during central venous catheterisation without any imaging guidance between November 2007 and December 2018 were included. Clinical data, angiographic findings, detailed interventional procedures, and technical and clinical outcomes were analysed retrospectively. Read More

Innovations (Phila) 2019 Nov/Dec;14(6):553-557. Epub 2019 Sep 11.

Department of Cardiac Anaesthesia, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences & Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and reproducibility of modified right vertical infra axillary thoracotomy (RVIAT) for repair of sinus venosus defects with right-sided partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) in children.

Methods: Between March 2017 and February 2018, we performed intracardiac repair for sinus venosus defects with right-sided PAPVC in 14 children through modified RVIAT. Median age and weight were 9. Read More

J Vasc Access 2020 Mar 26;21(2):210-216. Epub 2019 Aug 26.

Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed-to-be University), Puducherry, India.

Background: Abduction of the arm has been used for ultrasound-guided infraclavicular axillary vein cannulation. We evaluated the influence of arm position on sonographic visualization and cannulation of the axillary vein in patients receiving mechanical ventilation.

Methods: Sixty patients scheduled to undergo surgery under general anaesthesia with controlled mechanical ventilation were included in this prospective randomized study. Read More

Ann Vasc Surg 2019 Nov 31;61:356-362. Epub 2019 Jul 31.

2nd Department of Vascular Surgery and Angiology, Medical Centre of Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland.

Background: Achieving well-functioning dialysis fistulas is a common problem in dialyzed patients, and it is mainly caused by the pathologies of vessels used for fistula creation. Hybrid therapies, combining surgical and endovascular procedures, potentially enable the creation of functional dialysis fistulas in patients with vessels that are otherwise unsuitable for vascular access.

Methods: Between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2018, we created dialysis fistulas simultaneously with endovascular correction of outflow pathologies in 15 patients. Read More

J Surg Res 2019 12 11;244:296-301. Epub 2019 Jul 11.

Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.

Background: Central venous ports placed for breast cancer treatment have traditionally been placed contralateral to the disease. This is done out of concern for the possibility of an increased risk of complications with ipsilateral port placement. There have been only a few small studies evaluating complication rates between ports placed ipsilateral versus contralateral to the breast cancer. Read More

Minerva Anestesiol 2020 Feb 4;86(2):157-164. Epub 2019 Jul 4.

Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, Maggiore Polyclinic Hospital, Ca' Granda IRCCS and Foundation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.

Background: Central venous catheterization is essential for careful administration of fluids and drugs in cardiac critical care patients. The axillary vein might represent an alternative to subclavian and jugular vein accesses, with the advantage of being extra-thoracic, more distal from the pleural space and with more likehood of comfort for the patient. Conventional ultrasound-guided cannulation of the axillary vein is technically demanding and does not guarantee precise visualization of the needle tip. Read More

J Vasc Access 2020 Jan 16;21(1):66-72. Epub 2019 Jun 16.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Introduction: The ultrasound-guided axillary vein is becoming a compulsory alternative vessel for central venous catheterization and the anatomical position offers several potential advantages over blind, subclavian vein techniques.

Objective: To determine the degree of dynamic variation of the axillary vein size measured by ultrasound prior to the induction of general anesthesia and after starting controlled mechanical ventilation.

Design: Prospective, observational study. Read More

J Vasc Access 2019 Nov 28;20(6):630-635. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Department of Anesthesia, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Background: Catheterization of the axillary vein in the infraclavicular area has important advantages in patients with long-term, indwelling central venous catheters. The two most commonly used ultrasound-guided approaches for catheterization of the axillary vein include the long-axis/in-plane approach and the short-axis/out-of-plane approach, but there are certain drawbacks to both approaches. We have modified a new approach for axillary vein catheterization: the oblique-axis/in-plane approach. Read More

Intensive Care Med 2019 06 13;45(6):876-880. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Henri Mondor Hospital, Créteil, France.

J Vasc Access 2019 Nov 31;20(6):763-768. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Surgery, "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.

Introduction: Ultrasound-guided cannulation of the axillary vein in the infraclavicular area has several potential advantages for both short-term and long-term venous access devices. Currently, there are two techniques to approach axillary vein for ultrasound-guided cannulation: out-of-plane puncture in the short-axis view and the in-plane puncture in the long-axis view. We propose a novel ultrasound-guided puncture technique of axillary vein for centrally inserted central catheter placement, which consists in the oblique-axis view of the axillary vein coupled with the in-plane puncture. Read More

J Invasive Cardiol 2019 02;31(2):E46

Banner University Medical Center, 1111 East McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85006 USA.

This is the first reported case of full biventricular mechanical circulatory support with the combination of Impella and Protek Duo, which is a dual-lumen cannula inserted via the right internal jugular vein, with its proximal inflow lumen positioned in the right atrium and distal lumen positioned in the main pulmonary artery. These lumens are connected with the paracorporeal TandemHeart pump allowing flows up to 5 L/min. The alternative percutaneous option for right ventricular support is the Impella RP (Abiomed), which has to be placed in the femoral vein, preventing ambulation. Read More

J Clin Ultrasound 2019 Feb 25;47(2):95-96. Epub 2018 Nov 25.

Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain Medicine, and Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

J Vasc Access 2019 May 25;20(3):325-328. Epub 2018 Sep 25.

Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy.

Background: In patients with difficult peripheral venous access, alternative techniques require expertise and are invasive, expensive, and prone to serious adverse events. This brought us to designing a new venous catheter (JLB® Deltamed, Inc.) for the cannulation of medium and large bore veins; it is echogenic, and available in different lengths (60 / 70 / 80 mm) and Gauges (14 / 16 / 17 / 18). Read More

Ann Vasc Surg 2019 Jan 11;54:118-122. Epub 2018 Sep 11.

Yale University, Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of General Surgery, New Haven, CT.

Background: Venous thoracic outlet syndrome (vTOS) is a rare disease with no defined guidelines regarding treatment. Patients with first rib resection with anterior scalenectomy (FRRS) often have residual subclavian vein stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in the treatment of vTOS patients who have been surgically decompressed with FRRS. Read More

Pediatr Neonatol 2019 06 3;60(3):305-310. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background: In neonatal intensive care units, a percutaneous central venous catheter (PCVC) is inserted peripherally and threaded into a central venous location, when intravenous access is anticipated for an extended period of time. The tip location of PCVCs should be checked by an X-ray after the procedure. The present study aimed to determine an equation to estimate the optimal insertion length of PCVCs in neonates prior to the procedure. Read More

J Card Surg 2018 10 5;33(10):679-681. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.

Ann Vasc Surg 2019 Jan 26;54:248-253. Epub 2018 Jul 26.

Division of vascular surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address:

Background: Cephalic arch is one of the sites most susceptible to stenosis in brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (BCAVF). We performed a retrospective study to identify the incidence of cephalic arch stenosis (CAS) in BCAVF, to compare the patency of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) with that of cephalic vein transposition (CVT), and to establish the optimal treatment strategy for CAS.

Methods: Between January 2011 and June 2016, 462 patients underwent BCAVF creation. Read More

Int J Nurs Stud 2018 Oct 22;86:99-106. Epub 2018 Jun 22.

School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. Electronic address:

Background: Peripherally-inserted central catheter-related venous thrombosis has serious complications including the loss of vascular access, recurrent venous thrombosis, and post-thrombotic syndrome. Current guidelines recommend non-pharmacological strategies to prevent peripherally-inserted central catheter-related venous thrombosis. There is little evidence for the effectiveness of handgrip exercise on the prevention of peripherally-inserted central catheter-related venous thrombosis. Read More

Ann Thorac Surg 2019 01 28;107(1):311-321. Epub 2018 Jun 28.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart and Vascular Center, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Background: Venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) application in postcardiotomy shock (PCS) and non-PCS is increasing. VA-ECMO plays a critical role in the management of these patients, yet may be associated with serious complications.

Methods: A systematic review of all available reports in the literature of patients receiving VA-ECMO, either directly or indirectly, comparing central cannulation (right atrial to ascending aorta) versus peripheral cannulation (femoral vein to femoral artery or axillary artery) were analyzed. Read More

J Vasc Access 2019 Mar 20;20(2):134-139. Epub 2018 Jun 20.

Department of Radiology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Purpose:: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications of totally implantable venous access port implantation via the axillary vein in patients with head and neck malignancy.

Materials And Methods:: A total of 176 totally implantable venous access ports were placed via the axillary vein in 171 patients with head and neck malignancy between May 2012 and June 2015. The patients included 133 men and 38 women, and the mean age was 58. Read More

Crit Care 2018 06 5;22(1):148. Epub 2018 Jun 5.

Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care Unit, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal.

J Vasc Access 2018 Nov 12;19(6):667-671. Epub 2018 Apr 12.

2 School of Nursing, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.

Introduction:: A safe, largely used practice for difficult venous access patients is positioning a catheter in deeper veins under ultrasound guide. However, the risk of complications is increased when there is a high catheter-to-vein ratio or when the insertion site is in a zone with particular anatomical/physiological characteristics.

Case Description:: A 60-year-old woman admitted to a post-operative intensive care unit after cardiac surgery had a complicated post-operative course. Read More

J Vasc Access 2018 May 29;19(3):311-315. Epub 2018 Mar 29.

1 Department of Surgery, Tohoku Rosai Hospital, Sendai, Japan.

Purpose: Peripherally inserted central venous catheters are some of the most useful devices for vascular access used globally. Peripherally inserted central venous catheters have a low rate of fatal mechanical complications when compared to non-tunnel central venous catheters. However, as peripherally inserted central venous catheter access requires a smaller vein, there is a high risk of thrombosis. Read More

J Vasc Access 2018 May 27;19(3):297-302. Epub 2018 Mar 27.

3 Department of Surgery, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Aim: To examine whether the real-time ultrasound-guided venipuncture for implantable venous port placement is safer than the traditional venipuncture.

Methods: The study analyzed the results of 2153 venous ports placed consecutively from January 2009 to January 2016. A total of 922 patients in group 1 and 1231 patients in group 2 were admitted with venous port placed using the traditional landmark subclavian approach and real-time ultrasound-guided axillary approach, respectively. Read More

J Vasc Access 2018 Jul 12;19(4):396-397. Epub 2018 Mar 12.

1 Department of Diagnostic Radiology, NHIS Ilsan Hospital, Koyang, Korea.

Introduction: We report a case of vein rupture by Arrow-Trerotola percutaneous thrombolytic device (Trerotola PTD) during a treatment of thrombosed arteriovenous graft (AVG).

Case Description: A 77-year-old woman with a problem of thrombosed AVG underwent an endovascular treatment including a procedure of angioplasty of axillary vein. After angioplasty of axillary vein, we found a newly developed thrombus in axillary vein and performed thrombolysis using an over-the-wire 7F Trerotola PTD. Read More

Emerg Med J 2018 May 9;35(5):297-302. Epub 2018 Mar 9.

Division of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Introduction: Ultrasound assessment of the inferior vena cava (IVC) has gained favour in aiding fluid management decisions for controlled, mechanically ventilated patients as well as in non-mechanically ventilated, spontaneously breathing patients. Its utility in spontaneously breathing patients during positive pressure non-invasive ventilation has not yet been determined. The use of the axillary vein, as an alternative option to the IVC due to its ease of accessibility and independence from intra-abdominal pressure, has also not been evaluated. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2018 Mar 7;2(1):yty017. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.

Introduction: Isolated partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) with intact atrial septum is a rare finding. A cavopulmonary window is a side-to-side veno-venous communication of the right upper pulmonary vein with the superior vena cava which in its course retains connection to the left atrium.

Case Presentation: We present a case of this unusual variant of a sinus venosus defect far from the atrial roof. Read More

Ther Clin Risk Manag 2018 20;14:331-340. Epub 2018 Feb 20.

Department of Critical Care Medicine, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Background: A long-axis in-plane (LA-IP) approach and a short-axis out-of-plane (SA-OOP) approach are the two main approaches used in ultrasound (US)-guided vascular catheterization. However, the efficacy and safety of these approaches remain controversial. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to compare the two techniques in vascular catheterization. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2017 Dec;96(50):e9073

Department of Radiology, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Seongsan-gu, Changwon.

Rationale: Thrombosis due to anastomotic site stenosis is the most common complication in patients with brachio-axillary arteriovenous graft (AVG). Intravascular stent placement may play a special role in the salvage of dialysis grafts that have been previously performed percutaneous angioplasty or surgical procedure on the graft. Herein, we applied a novel stent named Supera which has a high degree of flexibility and resistance to external compression for treating a patient with recurrent venous anastomotic stenosis of brachio-axillary AVG. Read More

J Vasc Surg 2018 03 16;67(3):860-867. Epub 2017 Nov 16.

Department of Surgery, Kangdong Seong-Sim Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Objective: The objective of this study was to conduct a prospective clinical trial evaluating the technical feasibility and short-term clinical outcome of the blind pushing technique for placement of pretrimmed peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) through brachial vein access.

Methods: Patients requiring PICC placement at any of the three participating institutions were prospectively enrolled between January and December 2016. The review boards of all participating institutions approved this study, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. Read More

J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol 2017 Jul-Sep;33(3):337-341

Department of Anaesthesia, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Background And Aims: Ultrasound (US)-guided infraclavicular approach for axillary vein (AXV) cannulation has gained popularity in the last decade.

Material And Methods: In this manikin study, we evaluated the feasibility of a training model for teaching AXV cannulation. The learning pattern with this technique was assessed among attending anesthesiologists and residents in training. Read More

Sci Transl Med 2017 Nov;9(414)

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.

Prosthetic arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) conventionally used for hemodialysis are associated with inferior primary patency rates and increased risk of infection compared with autogenous vein grafts. We tissue-engineered an AVG grown from neonatal human dermal fibroblasts entrapped in bovine fibrin gel that is then decellularized. This graft is both "off-the-shelf" (nonliving) and completely biological. Read More

Europace 2018 08;20(8):1318-1323

Department of Cardiology, SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India.

Aims: This study was conducted to compare the safety and efficacy of microwire assisted technique with contrast venography guided axillary venipuncture in patients undergoing cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation.

Methods And Results: This prospective randomized study included 212 consecutive adult patients undergoing CIED implantation at our institute between 2013 and 2015. Patients were randomized to either venography guided technique (Group I; n = 105) or microwire assisted technique (Group II; n = 107) for axillary venipuncture. Read More

Anaesthesia 2017 Dec 9;72(12):1516-1522. Epub 2017 Oct 9.

Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

The axillary vein is a good site for ultrasound-guided central venous cannulation in terms of infection rate, patient comfort and its anatomical relationship with the clavicle and lungs. We compared real-time ultrasound-guided axillary vein cannulation with conventional infraclavicular landmark-guided subclavian vein cannulation in children. A total of 132 paediatric patients were randomly allocated to either ultrasound-guided axillary vein (axillary group) or landmark-guided subclavian vein (landmark group). Read More

J Vasc Surg 2017 12 31;66(6):1792-1797. Epub 2017 Aug 31.

Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Background: Arteriovenous grafts made of polyurethane (PU) have the advantage of early cannulation obviating the placement of a central vein catheter in patients with an acute need for long-term hemodialysis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy and complication rate of PU vascular grafts for dialysis access in patients in whom early cannulation was performed.

Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2015, 125 straight brachial-axillary grafts were placed in patients with an acute thrombosis of a previous arteriovenous access. Read More

Semin Vasc Surg 2016 Dec 17;29(4):186-191. Epub 2017 May 17.

Vascular Surgery Unit, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.

This clinical report details the results of endovascular treatment of symptomatic superior vena cava syndrome due to central vein stenosis or obstruction (CVSO) by stent angioplasty in patients with dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease. A 3-year retrospective review of two institutional registries identified 25 chronic hemodialysis patients (17 men, 8 women) affected by CVSO who received endovascular treatment. The majority of the patients (n = 19) presented with symptomatic arm, breast, and facial swelling; and 6 patients presented with dialysis-access dysfunction and venous-line hypertension. Read More

Pediatr Radiol 2017 Nov 1;47(12):1676-1681. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) represent a mainstay of intravascular access in the neonatal intensive care setting when long-term vascular access is needed. Ideally, PICCs should be inserted and maintained in a central position with the tip ending in the superior or inferior vena cava. This is not always achievable, and sometimes the tip remains in a peripheral location. Read More

Congenit Heart Dis 2017 Dec 9;12(6):800-807. Epub 2017 Jul 9.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Kemerburgaz University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.

Objectives: To retrospectively review the outcome of stent placement in neonates with a vertical ductus, present a technique of ductal stenting via the axillary artery and compare it to ductal stening via the femoral venous access.

Design: Nineteen patients with duct-dependent pulmonary circulations through a vertical ductus arteriosus were treated with stent implantation. Those patients were retrospectively included in the study. Read More

J Vasc Access 2017 Jul 23;18(4):345-351. Epub 2017 Jun 23.

Department of Pulmonology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul - Korea.

Purpose: To evaluate long-term clinical outcomes and complications of the single-incision technique for implantation of totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) via the axillary vein.

Materials And Methods: A total of 932 TIVAPs were placed in 927 patients between May 2012 and October 2014 using a single-incision technique. Patients included 620 men and 307 women with a mean age of 60. Read More

Pediatr Surg Int 2017 Sep 27;33(9):1001-1005. Epub 2017 Jun 27.

Department of Surgery, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.

Purpose: To assess the indications, safety and outcomes of tunneled central venous catheters (CVCs) placed via a cutdown approach into the axillary vein in children, an approach not well described in this population.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on pediatric patients who received CVCs via open cannulation of the axillary vein or one of its tributaries between January 2006 and October 2016 at two hospitals.

Results: A total of 24 axillary CVCs were placed in 20 patients [10 male (42%); mean weight 7. Read More

Ann Vasc Surg 2017 Nov 21;45:262.e7-262.e10. Epub 2017 Jun 21.

Department of Vascular Surgery, DeBakey Heart and Vascular Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX. Electronic address:

Patients with prolonged history of central venous catheters can develop central venous occlusion. We report the creation of an axillary artery to right atrial graft using the femoropopliteal vein (FPV) for dialysis access in a patient with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis with history of central venous occlusion. The patient had previously developed steal syndrome following a right brachial artery to right atrial polytetrafluoroethylene graft requiring revision to a left axillary artery inflow which subsequently thrombosed. Read More

Chest 2017 12 3;152(6):1128-1134. Epub 2017 Jun 3.

University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.

Background: Prostacyclins improve symptoms and survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In response to risks associated with external delivery systems, an implantable IV infusion system was developed. A multicenter, prospective, single-arm, clinical trial (DelIVery for PAH) was conducted to evaluate this system for treprostinil in PAH. Read More

Cir Pediatr 2016 Oct 10;29(4):149-152. Epub 2016 Oct 10.

Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica. Hospital Clinico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca. Murcia.

Objetives: The implantation of long duration intravenous catheters in pediatric population constitutes a challenge due to the size of vascular structures. Because of that, ultrasound is an important tool for vascular accesses in newborns and infants. The objective is to analyze our experience in ultrasound-guided implantation of reservoir type and tunneled catheters, as well as to compare it between both age groups. Read More

J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2017 Oct 15;31(5):1707-1712. Epub 2017 Feb 15.

Department of Anesthesia, Khoula Hospital, Muscat, Oman.

Objective: The primary objective was to compare the frequency of first-attempt successful axillary vein cannulation by the Seldinger technique using out-of-plane ultrasound guidance versus in-plane imaging. Between the two ultrasound imaging planes, this study also compared the number of attempts that were necessary for the cannulation of the left axillary vein along with the number of needle redirections that had to be done for final cannulation of the vein. Incidence of complications and the number of times the procedure was abandoned also were compared between the two imaging planes. Read More