Failed Internal Jugular Vein Cannulation - Is Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography Mandatory?

Still, arterial puncture during central venous catheterization occurs and may cause severe and potentially life-threatening complications. Here, we present three patients in whom severe complications requiring surgical or interventional procedures were required to stop cervical bleeding or occlude aneurysms spuria and re-establish compromised cerebral perfusion. Complications occurred even while ultrasound was used during cannulation attempts. With regard to the dimension and severity of sequelae which may develop after complicated puncture we would like to plead for a low threshold for performing contrast enhanced computed tomography.