Feasibility of the Use of Transesophageal Echocardiography as a Surface Probe for Puncturing and Catheterization of the Internal Jugular Vein: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe as a surface probe with the vascular probe for guiding internal jugular vein (IJV) catheterization.

DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled pilot study.

SETTING: University hospital.

PARTICIPANTS: One hundred cardiac surgery patients, including 50 adult and 50 pediatric patients.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients in the TEE probe group received right IJV catheterization using the TEE probe, while the vascular probe group used the vascular probe for catheterization.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The puncture time, first-attempt success rate, quality of the imaging with needle tip positioning, wire positioning, and catheter positioning were recorded. The incidence of complication or any adverse event also was observed. Adult patients: In the vascular probe group, the success rate for first attempt IJV catheterization was 24/25 (96%), while in the TEE probe group, the success rate for first attempt IJV catheterization was 25/25 (100%). There was no statistical difference in the puncture time, image quality, needle tip positioning, wire positioning, and catheter positioning between groups (p > 0.05). Pediatric patients: The success rate for first-attempt IJV catheterization was 100% in both groups, and there were no statistical differences in the puncture time, image quality, and positioning between the 2 groups (p > 0.05). No complications or adverse events were observed in either group.

CONCLUSION: The TEE probe, used as a surface probe, can be used to guide IJV puncturing and catheterization in cardiac surgery patients with favorable feasibility and safety.