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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Can Electrocardiogram-Controlled Central Line Placement Decrease the Need for Routine Chest Radiographs After Central Venous Cannulation?

Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care; Adelaide and Meath National Children Hospital; Dublin, Ireland; muhammadfarooqch{at}yahoo.com

To the Editor:

I have two questions regarding the recent article by Gebhard et al. (1) describing the use of electrocardiographic guidance in accurately positioning central venous catheters. First, and because of concern related to the cost of infections associated with central venous cannulation, how is sterility maintained when the connection between the guide wire and the ECG adaptor is established (2)?

Second, if one of the results of this study is to decrease the requirement for an radiograph in order to confirm proper positioning of the CVC, how are the other serious complications such as pneumothorax or hydrothorax, the treatment for which is far more costly than $120.00, ruled out?

REFERENCES

1. Gebhard RE, Szmuk P, Pivalizza EG, et al. The accuracy of electrocardiogram-controlled central line placement. Anesth Analg 2007;104:65–70.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
2. O’Grady NP, Alexander M, Dellinger EP, et al. Guidelines for the prevention of intravenous catheter -related infections. MMWR Recomm Rep 2002;51(RR-10):1–29.[Medline]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. E. Gebhard Can Electrocardiogram-Controlled Central Line Placement Decrease the Need for Routine Chest Radiographs After Central Venous Cannulation? Anesth. Analg., June 1, 2007; 104(6): 1614 - 1615. [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (1) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Farooq, M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Farooq, M.