Use of ultrasound in peripheral venous catheterization in adult emergency and critical care units

Abstract

Peripheral venous access is a routine procedure in emergency and critical care areas. However, not all
procedures are successful due to altered venous anatomy, varied patient characteristics and blind nature
of procedure. Sometimes, this seemingly easy procedure may become difficult, time-consuming, and
exasperating. Needle punctures in the process to obtain peripheral venous access can lead to inadvertent
arterial punctures, pain, extravasation, localized swelling and patient discomfort. Use of ultrasound
improves the probability of achieving venous access and decreases the rate of unwanted central line
insertions and associated complications. This review will present latest evidence into the use of ultrasound
guided peripheral venous access and briefly describe the indications, method and contraindications of
this technique in emergency and critical care settings.