Question 1

What is the Seldinger technique and how is it used in central venous catheter placement?

Accepted Answer

The Seldinger technique, introduced by Dr. Sven-Ivar Seldinger in 1953, is a method for introducing a device into the body over a guidewire. A thin-walled needle first cannulates the target vessel, then a guidewire is passed through the needle. The needle is removed, a dilator is passed over the wire to enlarge the tissue tract, and finally the catheter is advanced over the wire into the vessel.

Question 2

Why is the right internal jugular vein preferred for central venous catheter placement?

Accepted Answer

The right internal jugular vein is preferred because it has a straight route to the superior vena cava, making catheter malposition less likely. This anatomical advantage reduces complications and improves successful placement compared to the left side, which has a more angled path to the central circulation.

Question 3

How does ultrasound guidance improve the safety of internal jugular vein catheterization?

Accepted Answer

Ultrasound guidance allows real-time visualization of the internal jugular vein and carotid artery, enabling practitioners to distinguish the compressible vein from the pulsatile artery. This direct visualization significantly improves safety compared to landmark-only techniques and reduces risks of arterial puncture, infection, and other complications.

Question 4

What are the main clinical applications for central venous catheter placement?

Accepted Answer

Central venous catheters are used for vascular access, vasopressor and caustic medication delivery, central venous pressure monitoring, intravascular device delivery such as pacing wires and Swann-Ganz catheters, volume resuscitation, total parenteral nutrition, hemodialysis, and frequent phlebotomy in critically ill patients.

Question 5

What positioning and anatomical landmarks are essential before inserting an internal jugular catheter?

Accepted Answer

Position the patient supine in Trendelenburg position with feet elevated to prevent air embolus and maximize vessel engorgement. Identify the triangle formed by the two heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the clavicle, through which the internal jugular vein passes. The carotid artery lies medial and deep to the vein.

Question 6

What are the major risks associated with internal jugular vein catheterization?

Accepted Answer

Risks include local and systemic infection, arterial puncture with bleeding, thrombosis, pneumothorax, and tracheal puncture. However, these complications are minimized through strict sterile precautions and ultrasound guidance, which allows visualization of surrounding structures and reduces inadvertent vessel or organ injury.

Question 7

How is proper catheter placement confirmed after internal jugular vein insertion?

Accepted Answer

After catheter insertion, attach a sterile syringe to the distal port and aspirate to verify dark, non-pulsatile blood return, confirming venous placement. Flush the lumen with sterile saline and repeat for each lumen on multi-lumen catheters. Finally, obtain a chest X-ray to confirm proper depth and rule out pneumothorax.

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