An ultrasound-guided technique to achieve jugular vein catheterization in a cardiac arrest dog model was evaluated. Obtaining vascular access in an emergency situation is critical. However, access in hypotensive or hypovolemic patients can be challenging, and unsuccessful attempts often produce hematomas. Studies of ultrasound-guided vascular access in humans have realized a higher success rate and fewer complications.
Cardiac arrest was induced in 9 walker hounds. One of 3 randomly assigned operators attempted to place a jugular catheter with ultrasound guidance; 27 attempts were made. Simulated hematomas were created in 9 patients by injecting 5–15 mL of blood in SC tissue around the vein. Alcohol was applied to all catheterization sites and proved sufficient for obtaining an ultrasound image. Mean time to vascular access without a hematoma was 1.9 minutes and 4.3 minutes with a hematoma. Perceived difficulty in placing the jugular catheter was the same; however, individuals did perceive the initial catheterization attempts to be more difficult. This learning curve was shallow, thus showing that individuals can easily learn the ultrasound-guided technique. Keeping the vessel and catheter tip in the same plane as the ultrasound probe was important. The authors concluded that further studies are required to evaluate the ultrasound-guided technique.
