{"id":53478,"date":"2026-07-08T09:49:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T08:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/?p=53478"},"modified":"2026-06-23T11:44:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T10:44:10","slug":"article-5-ultrasound-guidance-in-picc-placement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/vascular-access\/fundamentals-of-picc-practice\/article-5-ultrasound-guidance-in-picc-placement\/","title":{"rendered":"Article 5: Ultrasound Guidance in PICC Placement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ultrasound guidance is now a key component of modern PICC insertion, supporting improved accuracy, higher success rates and reduced complications. Current guidance recommends its use wherever possible, particularly for upper arm insertion, reflecting its role in enhancing both safety and efficiency in vascular access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Evidence consistently supports this approach. Studies have shown that ultrasound guidance improves first-attempt success rates, reduces placement failures and lowers complication risk. However, as with any technique, there is a learning curve, making structured training and competency development essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Basic Principles of Ultrasound<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves, transmitted into the body via a probe (transducer). These waves reflect off internal structures and return to the probe, allowing the machine to create a real-time image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In simple terms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sound waves are sent into the body<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They reflect off tissues and vessels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The returning signals are converted into a visual image<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This enables clinicians to visualise anatomy dynamically during PICC insertion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using the Transducer Effectively<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The transducer both sends and receives sound waves, producing a thin image slice of the target area. Correct orientation is essential, as misalignment can lead to confusion when interpreting images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two main approaches are used:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Transverse view: the vessel appears round and supports initial identification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Longitudinal view: the vessel appears as a line, allowing needle tracking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keeping the needle within the ultrasound beam at all times is critical for safe and accurate placement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vessel Identification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ultrasound makes it easier to distinguish between veins and arteries:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Veins: compressible, non-pulsatile and typically larger<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Arteries: pulsatile and non-compressible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A vein that does not compress may indicate thrombosis and should not be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Optimising Image Quality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Image clarity is influenced by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Frequency: higher frequencies give better detail for superficial vessels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gain: adjusts brightness to improve visibility<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proper probe preparation is also essential. Ultrasound gel must be used to ensure effective transmission of sound waves, and air bubbles must be avoided to maintain clear imaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical Technique Considerations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common challenges when learning ultrasound include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Watching hands instead of the screen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applying too much pressure and collapsing the vein<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Poor probe control or incorrect needle angle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To support best practice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Move slowly and deliberately<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep the vessel and needle centred on the screen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regularly check positioning throughout the procedure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simulation training and routine use of ultrasound can help build confidence and consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ultrasound guidance has become central to best practice in PICC insertion. By improving visualisation and supporting more precise technique, it helps reduce complications and improve patient outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With appropriate training and consistent use, ultrasound enables clinicians to deliver safer, more reliable vascular access as part of modern, patient-centred care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-6de9725200c82773119296210692a471\" style=\"min-height:200px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#004431\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center is-image-fill-element\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/06\/PICC-Series-front-cover-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53543 size-full\" style=\"object-position:50% 50%\" srcset=\"http:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/06\/PICC-Series-front-cover-1024x1024.png 1024w, http:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/06\/PICC-Series-front-cover-980x980.png 980w, http:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/06\/PICC-Series-front-cover-480x480.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-white-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:20px\">PICC Insertion: Techniques, Pain Management and Complication Awareness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignfull is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/vascular-access\/fundamentals-of-picc-practice\/article-6-picc-insertion-techniques-pain-management-and-complication-awareness\/\">Next Article<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ultrasound guidance is now a key component of modern PICC insertion, supporting improved accuracy, higher success rates and reduced complications. Current guidance recommends its use wherever possible, particularly for upper arm insertion, reflecting its role in enhancing both safety and efficiency in vascular access. Evidence consistently supports this approach. Studies have shown that ultrasound guidance [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":53470,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[117],"tags":[47],"class_list":["post-53478","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fundamentals-of-picc-practice","tag-picc-fr"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53478","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53478"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53478\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53555,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53478\/revisions\/53555"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53470"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53478"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53478"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}