Authors:
- Josip Brusić – Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka
- Alan Šustić – Department of Clinical Medical Sciences II, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka
Article type:
Original Scientific Paper
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided peripheral vein catheterization in difficult cases. The study included 36 patients who underwent two failed peripheral vein punctures/cannulations and were then randomly divided into two groups of 18 patients each. Group A consists of patients who continued the traditional “blind” technique, while group B continued ultrasound-guided catheterization. The total number of punctures per patient was significantly lower (4.94 ± 1.1 vs. 1.17 ± 0.4; p < 0.001), and the time of placement of the peripheral venous cannula was significantly shorter (11.94 ± 5.6 min versus 6.63 ± 1.7 min; p < 0.001) in group B patients. Ultrasound-guided peripheral vein catheterization reduces the number of failed attempts and shortens the time required to open the venous route in patients with difficult peripheral vein access.
Keywords:
peripheral vein catheterization, ultrasound.