Internal Jugular Vein
• Have patient lift his/her head from the bed to dene the
sternomastoid muscle. Catheterization will be performed at the apex
of a triangle formed between the two heads of the sternomastoid
muscle. The apex should be approximately three nger breadths
above the clavicle. The carotid artery should be palpated medial to
the point of catheter insertion.
Subclavian Vein
• Note the position of the subclavian vein, which is posterior to the
clavicle, superior to the rst rib, and anterior to the subclavian
artery. (At a point just lateral to the angle made by the clavicle and
the rst rib.)
Warning: Patients requiring ventilator support are at increased risk of
pneumothorax during subclavian vein cannulation, which may cause
complications.
Warning: Extended use of the subclavian vein may be associated with
subclavian vein stenosis.
Tip Placement
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