Humans; Catheterization, Central Venous/methods; Pulmonary Veins/abnormalities/diagnostic imaging; Male; Scimitar Syndrome; Jugular Veins/abnormalities; Medical Errors; Female; Central venous catheter; Malposition; Vertical vein; complications
Abstract :
[en] Central venous access is common practice in intensive care, anesthesia and emergency departments. It is, however, a delicate technical procedure, prone to complications. We present a case report on the placement of a left jugular central venous line in the emergency room, which was thought to be a routine procedure. However, the operator observed arterial blood during sampling, and the central line was described as poorly positioned on the control X-ray. After verification and other examinations, the existence of a vertical vein was discovered in this patient, connecting the left superior pulmonary vein to the brachiocephalic trunk. A poorly positioned central venous line can therefore lead to the discovery of asympomatic congenital vascular anomalies, unrelated to the clinical context. This case study illustrates the various tools available to ensure the correct position of a central venous line, and their clinical implications.
Disciplines :
Human health sciences: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
Peeters, Pauline; Service des Urgences, CHU Liège, Belgique.
Lopez, Raphaëlle; Service des Urgences, CHU Liège, Belgique.
Dheur, Sophie; Service de Radiologie, CHU Liège, Belgique.