Background: Chest x-ray (Rx) is the standard test to assess correct placement of a central venous catheter (CVC). Our objective was to validate the use of four clinical measures (CMs) to assess the proper placement of the line.
Methods: During a period of eight month, at the Intensive Care Unit a prospective study was done. A chest Rx was always obtained to assess the position of the catheter. The CMs were: venous return; waveform of the central venous pressure (CVP); arrhythmias while advancing the guide wire and the difference between planned length in cm to be introduced and the length of the catheter introduced.
Results: For each parameter alone the sensitivity and specificity found were: for venous return 97% and 22%, for CVP waveform changes 86% and 40%, for arrhythmias 97% and 60%, for difference between planned and real length introduced into the patient 97% and 50% respectively. According to chest x-ray, 78% of the catheters were located at a central position. Using the four CMs, we obtained 86% sensitivity and 90% specificity of the placement of the CVC.
Conclusions: The use of each parameter alone is highly sensitive but poorly specific.