Skip to content

Comparison of the Proximal Approach and Distal Approach of Axillary Vein Catheterization Under Ultrasound Guidance

Comparison of the Proximal Approach and Distal Approach of Axillary Vein Catheterization Under Ultrasound Guidance in Cardiac Surgical Patients With Risk of Bleeding: a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03395691
Enrollment
198
Registered
2018-01-10
Start date
2018-02-11
Completion date
2019-09-17
Last updated
2019-09-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Central Venous Catheterization

Keywords

axillary vein, central venous catheterization, ultrasound, cardiac surgery, complication

Brief summary

Ultrasound-guided axillary vein catheterization can be performed via the proximal or distal approach of the axillary vein. The aim of our study is to compare the first puncture success rate and safety between the two approaches of ultrasound-guided axillary vein catheterization in cardiac surgical patients with risk of bleeding.

Detailed description

For patients after cardiac surgery, antiplatelet drugs or anticoagulants are usually used for preventing thrombosis. Use of those drugs is associated with increased risk of bleeding. Any invasive procedures may put those patients at additional risk of bleeding. Ultrasound (US) has become widely accepted to guide safe and accurate central venous catheterization.The axillary vein in the infraclavicular area is an alternative choice for subclavian vein. Ultrasound images of the infraclavicular axillary vein differ according to its position. Proximal infraclavicular axillary vein is a direct continuation of the subclavian vein. The associated anatomy is simple and the vein is straight and thick in longitudinal axis view, which are in favor of successful puncture. Meanwhile, distal axillary vein also has anatomical advantages for safe and successful cannulations. Distal axillary vein lies further away from the artery and chest wall, and the overlap between distal axillary vein and artery gets greater on moving laterally. It is still unknow that one of the puncture approaches is superior to the other. Until now, there are no studies comparing two puncture approaches in high bleeding risk patients. The aim of the study is to compare the success rate of first puncture and safety of US-guided proximal and distal axillary venous catheterization in cardiac surgery patients with risk of bleeding.

Interventions

PROCEDUREThe distal approach

The first two attempts via the distal approach will be performed . If the first two attempts failed, the subsequent attempts of venipuncture were performed using the proximal approach

PROCEDUREThe proximal approach

The first two attempts via the proximal approach will be performed . If the first two attempts failed, the subsequent attempts of venipuncture were performed using the distal approach.

Sponsors

Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Masking description

Patients were randomized to the Proximal Approach (PA) or Distal Approach (DA) group in a 1:1 ratio using a computerized system. The allocation process was intensively managed by an allocation group using sequentially numbered containers and the allocation result was concealed until it was implemented. When a patient was eligible, the investigator informed allocation group to get intervention group allocated to the patient: PA or DA group. Because of feasibility issues, operators were not blinded to the assignment.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Cardiac surgical patients in Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit * Axillary vein catheterization is needed according to the clinical practice * receiving oral antiplatelet or anticoagulants at least three days

Exclusion criteria

* fracture of the ipsilateral clavicle or anterior proximal ribs * subclavian and/or axillary vein thrombosis * local infection of the puncture area * subclavian and/or axillary veins which are not clearly visualized using ultrasound * already presence of subclavian or axillary vein catheter * requiring an emergency axillary vein catheterization

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
First puncture success rateapproximately 3 minutesCentral venous catheter established upon first punction attempt

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The approach success ratewithin 1 hoursthe number of successful cannulation within the first two attempts
time to successful cannulationwithin 1 hoursthe time from skin puncture until completion of cannula insertion
Complication rateDay 1major bleeding, minor bleeding, arterial puncture, pneumothorax, nerve injuries, catheter misplacement
overall success ratewithin 1 hoursdefined as the number of successful cannulation in targeted axillary vein within four attempts (the first two attempts using the randomized approach, third and fourth attempts using the non-randomized approach)
the number of attemptswithin 1 hoursthe number of attempts until successful cannulation
access timewithin 1 hoursdefined as the time between penetration of skin and aspiration of venous blood into the syringe

Countries

China

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 26, 2026