Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Problems with jugular vein catheters in critically ill dogs and cats
By Reminga, Christin L et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2018·Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of the placement and maintenance of central venous jugular catheters in critically ill dogs and cats.
Plain-English summary
A group of 27 dogs and 20 cats in a veterinary ICU had central venous jugular catheters (CVJCs) placed to help with their treatment. While most catheters were successfully placed, about half of the patients experienced complications, such as heart rhythm issues and hematomas. Smaller pets and older animals were more likely to face difficulties during placement and maintenance of the catheters. Despite these challenges, the overall risk of serious problems was low, and the study helped identify factors that could improve future catheter placements.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe problems noted during central venous jugular catheter (CVJC) placement, conditions associated with unsuccessful catheterization, and CVJC maintenance complications. DESIGN: Prospective observational study from September 2014 to September 2015. SETTING: University veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Twenty-seven dogs and 20 cats hospitalized in a veterinary ICU. Patients were excluded if previously hospitalized with a CVJC or lacked sufficient data. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ninety-one percent of indwelling CVJCs were placed successfully (43/47, 95% CI: 80%, 98%). Procedural-related difficulties that resulted in the inability to place a CVJC totaled 18/63 (28.6%, 95% CI: 18%, 41%) and included the inability to puncture the vessel (10), hematoma (6), malposition (1), and dislodgement (1). Procedural complications occurred in 24/47 patients (51%, 95% CI: 36%, 66%) and included cardiac dysrhythmias (13), hematoma (6), CVJC placement failure (4), and malposition (1). Risk factors associated with multiple catheterization attempts included increased age (7.5 years [± 4.2] vs 10.6 years [± 4.1], P = 0.04), smaller size (8.0 kg [0.6-51.9 kg] vs 4.4 kg [2.6-6.8 kg], P < 0.01) and thinner body condition score (median 5/9 [2/9-9/9] vs 4/9 [2/9-7/9], P = 0.04). The risk factor associated with dysrhythmias was smaller patient size (6.8 kg [2.6-51.9 kg] vs 4.8 kg [0.6-29.5 kg], P = 0.04). Eighteen indwelling complications occurred in 14 patients and included mechanical obstruction (7), skin irritation (6), malposition (4), and inflammation (1). Risk factors for indwelling complications included longer dwell time (5 days [2-30] vs 3 days [1-10], P < 0.01) and the administration of an irritant medication (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Complications were documented in the placement and maintenance of CVJCs in critically ill patients with a low incidence of life-threatening sequelae. Risk factors associated with both unsuccessful CVJC placement and indwelling CVJC complications were identified.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29687942/