The PERSEUS guidelines, recently released by the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC), recommend a global use of ultrasound to assist all steps of central venous catheterization in order to minimize all immediate, early, and late...
As the GAVeCeLT group (1) stated in their manual on PICCs and midlines regarding the evolution of PICC use, the introduction of ultrasound in the 2000s has been a breakthrough in the field. In this article, we delve into the utility of ultrasound in the field of...
In this article, we will introduce Closed Safety Systems for Administration (CSSAs) as an important way to differentiate between CSTDs.
This article discusses the implementation of electrocardiogram tip location (ECG TLS) for the confirmation of central venous catheter tip position. The author works within a nurse led vascular access service in NHS Scotland and has found that this method of catheter...
Have you ever wondered how nursing works outside of your country? What protocols are used, how is the coordination between professionals, and how is patient follow-up conducted? Christian Dupont is a nurse at one of the major hospital centers in the French capital,...
Acute Cardiac Care Unit, Crosshouse Hospital, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Scotland Within cardiology, there is a cohort of patients who require prolonged IV access, such as those with decompensated heart failure and those with infective endocarditis. Moreover,...
In ultrasound-guided procedures, it is possible that an ideal vein isn't found in the optimal catheter exit zone. When confronted with the decision between "immediate placement of a line out of necessity for the patient" and "waiting for potential alternatives,"...
A testimonial of Dr Eric Desruennes There aren't many differences between children over 2 years and adults. On the other hand, newborns, infants, and children under 2 years are quite different due to: - Their small weight and vessels, and sometimes the...
In neonatal care, the delicate nature of patients demands meticulous attention to every aspect of their well-being. The placement of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in neonates, while essential, presents a significant challenge due to the fragile and...
The VAD (vascular access device) insertion experience varies between patients. For individuals with difficult intravenous access (DIVA), the process can become traumatic and notably painful. According to Blanco (2019), DIVA affects up to one-third of critically ill...
In modern healthcare, multiple professionals are responsible of inserting vascular access devices in patients. Within the same hospital, different categories of professionals end up using the same type of catheters. However, when each of these professionals employs...
One of the most common complications associated with vascular access devices (VAD) is occlusion. Device occlusion can potentially result in treatment being either halted or missed. This can have a negative effect on treatment outcomes. Occlusion can be partial,...
PICC-port is gaining prominence as a primary vascular access device for oncology patients, surpassing traditional chest ports and outdated brachial ports. Dr. Bertoglio's recently published multicentre study, which examined over 4000 PICC-ports, demonstrates the...
PICC-port is an implanted catheter that is undoubtedly gaining ground in the world of vascular access. Its growing success is not surprising: it comes with new indications, cost reduction and patient satisfaction. Even if PICC-port has been in use for several decades,...
Short Peripheral Intravenous Catheters (SPIVCs) are commonly used as default vascular access devices by practicians around the world for short and midterm therapies. However, they can be a problem in case of medium therapies as that would entail the insertion of...
This article about chest and neck veins is part of a series about the anatomy and physiology related to vascular access. To read the first part about arm veins, click here. Chest and neck veins are often used for the insertion of acute central venous catheters (CVCs),...
Healthcare professionals working with oncology patients are used to handling fully implanted catheters. In recent years, PICC-port has proven to be very useful in the field. However, any vascular access device can become a problem if its placement has not been optimal...
VADs (Vascular Access Devices) can be inserted in various areas of the body via a selection of veins. Some venous access sites can result in more complications. It is therefore important to carefully select the vein for access. The purpose of this article is to detail...
With the introduction of venous mapping methods prior to the placement of a central venous catheter (RaPeVA, RaCeVA, and RaFeVA), the evolution of ultrasound techniques has given a fundamental role to the choice of vein. In fact, the measurement of this vein (obtained...
Extravasation can be defined as the accidental leakage of a chemotherapy infusion into the subcutaneous tissues, and exceptionally into the pleura or mediastinum. It can be an absolute therapeutic emergency depending on the product that was used. Of all the possible...
Dysfunction with implantable ports is characterized by an absence of blood reflux. It can be associated to a decrease or loss of perfusion flow. Its incidence is of 0.6 to 2.5 per 1000 days/catheter. Causes are multiple. Etiologic diagnosis is essential because each...
Central venous catheters are intravenous devices whose distal end must be located at the atrio cava junction (union of superior vena cava and right atrium). They allow the infusion of irritant drugs, with a pH < 5 or > 9 or hyperosmolar > 600 mosm/l, in...
Skin lesions include MARSIs and various intrinsic or clinical conditions that pose a challenge in maintaining adequate fixation of the central catheter on the patient’s skin…
Introduction Vascular access is the commonest invasive procedure performed on hospitalised patients, but it is not without complications1. Complications can include phlebitis, localised infection, blood stream infection, thrombus, infiltration and extravasation, and...
Ever since their creation, vascular access teams dedicated to PICC placement have proven to be efficient in reducing catheter-related complications. However, as Nancy Moureau commented in a clinical case on thrombosis in 2016, there are still complications that can...