Evidence suggests that the risk of major central venous line complications, particularly line-related bloodstream infections, is lower when the subclavian approach is used. This video will identify the landmarks and procedure for placement of a subclavian central line. Specific contraindications for the placement of a central venous line in the subclavian vein include infection of the area overlying the target vein and thrombosis of the target vein and fracture or suspected fracture of the clavicle or proximal ribs. Coagulopathy, while not an absolute contraindication, should be of greater concern with the subclavian approach because of the difficulty in applying . . . .
Fortune JB, Feustel P. Effect of patient position on size and location of the subclavian vein for percutaneous puncture. Arch Surg 2003;138:996-1000. [Free Full Text]
Orihashi K, Imai K, Sato K, Hamamoto M, Okada K, Sueda T. Extrathoracic subclavian venipuncture under ultrasound guidance. Circ J 2005;69:1111-1115. [CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Pirotte T, Veyckemans F. Ultrasound-guided subclavian vein cannulation in infants and children: a novel approach. Br J Anaesth 2007;98:509-514. [Free Full Text]
Fowler, R. A., Adhikari, N. K. J., Scales, D. C., Lee, W. L., Rubenfeld, G. D.
(2008). Update in Critical Care 2007. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.
177: 808-819
[Full Text]