Standard Ultrasound Guidance vs. New Needle-steering Device in Subclavian Venous Catheterization

Up to two-thirds of intensive care unit patients require central venous catheterization for which ultrasound-guided placement is now recommended. In this context, the team performed a prospective randomized simulation trial on a mannequin ("reduced torso model"), to compare the standard ultrasound guidance technique with an ultrasound-guided technique assisted by a new needle-steering device. The preliminary results show a statistically significant improvement in subclavian venipuncture (shorter success time, fewer multiple skin punctures, fewer punctures of the posterior wall of the subclavian vein and needle redirection, greater comfort) and argue for a clinical trial to test the performance of this new device in situation with intensive care unit patients. The hypothesis is that the needle-steering device will result in a better success rate of subclavian venous cannulation, at first puncture, compared with the conventional ultrasound-guided technique.