Pediatric emergency medicine trisk 4330 4330

PERCUTANEOUS INTERNAL JUGULAR VEIN
CATHETERIZATION
Indications
Emergency access to central venous circulation. See Chapter 131 Ultrasound for
discussion of ultrasound guidance. The internal jugular vein is the preferred entry
site when abdominal trauma with possible vena cava injury is present. The main
delay in early access to the internal jugular vein is the need to stabilize the airway
or maintain protection of the cervical spine.

Complications
1. Inadvertent arterial catheterization
2. Expanding hematoma
3. Arterial or venous laceration
4. Infection
5. Catheter or wire fragment in central circulation
6. Pneumothorax, hemothorax
7. Pneumomediastinum
8. Cardiac trauma