Central Line Placement: Never Neglect the Basics



Central Line Placement: Never Neglect the Basics


Hassan M. Ahmad MD



Intravenous (IV) access is a crucial part of anesthesia care, and placement and management of lines are important skills for both the anesthetist and anesthesiologist. Virtually all anesthetics require some degree of IV access, whether it is for induction of general anesthesia, administration of medications, fluid resuscitation, or blood sampling.

Before attempting to place a central line, be sure you are well versed on anatomic landmarks and appropriate techniques. This is never a benign procedure, so always make sure to weigh the risks and benefits and discuss them with the patient as part of your informed-consent process. Central line placement has been associated with several complications, including:



  • Accidental arterial puncture with pseudoaneurysm or hematoma


  • Pneumo- or hemothorax


  • Venous air embolism


  • Infection and sepsis


  • Cardiac arrhythmias

The decision to place a central line is multifactorial. Always assess the overall clinical picture, and discuss with the surgeon and intensive care unit (ICU) staff if possible. Some of the indications for obtaining central venous access are

Jul 1, 2016 | Posted by in ANESTHESIA | Comments Off on Central Line Placement: Never Neglect the Basics

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