Point-of-care ultrasonography for verification of central venous catheter placement in cats and dogs.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This prospective study aimed to investigate the use of ultrasonography for verifying central venous catheter placement in hospitalized cats and dogs, in comparison with radiographic assessment. METHODS: The investigation was conducted on client-owned animals. The position of the central venous catheter was checked using both thoracic radiography and ultrasonography. Ultrasonographic examination was performed in three steps: two intercostal scans of the cranial thorax (transverse and longitudinal scans), to visualize the course of the cranial vena cava within the mediastinum, and one right parasternal scan (sub-costal bicaval view), to visualize both the cranial and caudal vena cava entering the right atrium. RESULTS: A total of 15 animals (8 dogs and 7 cats) were included in this study. Radiographic evaluation confirmed correct device placement within the cranial vena cava in 15/15 animals, with catheter extension into the right atrium observed in 8/15 cases. Ultrasonographic assessment of the mediastinal region demonstrated good agreement with radiographic findings (94%; CI95%: 83%-100%), and the bicaval atrial view showed high reliability in identifying central venous catheter tip location (Kappa = 0.87; CI95%: 65%-100%). DISCUSSION: Ultrasound appears to be a reliable, non-invasive method for evaluating central venous catheter position in dogs and cats, with diagnostic accuracy comparable to radiography and the advantage of avoiding ionizing radiation exposure.