Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access

Establishing safe and effective vascular access is a fundamental skill in medical practice, but it can become a technical challenge in several situations [1]. A central venous access device is defined as a catheter whose tip is positioned in the superior vena cava, right atrium, or inferior vena cava. Ultrasonography allows precise planning of vascular access, real-time guided insertion [2], and early identification of complications inherent to the procedure [3, 4].Central venous access is used for the placement of venous catheters and other devices, such as pulmonary artery catheters (Swan-Ganz®), for plasmapheresis and hemodialysis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulas, inferior vena cava filters, pacemaker leads, and cardioverter-defibrillator leads. The access site and technique vary according to the indication, vascular anatomy, and patient-specific factors [5, 6].