Ultrasound Guided Vascular Access and Unusual Complications – Two Case Reports

Abstract

Ultrasound is being increasingly used to aid the placement of central venous catheters and has been demonstrated to decrease associated complications. However, catheter tip placement is not guaranteed using ultrasound, as we describe in two case reports. The first case described a central venous catheter passing into a tributary of the left brachiocephalic vein, and the second case describes the catheter tip close to the jugular bulb. We conclude with a discussion exploring the potential issues of left internal jugular vein catheterisation and inadvertent retrograde passage towards the jugular bulb.