Friday January 19, 2007
Bedside tip !!

Scenario: While performing femoral vein cannulation, you obtained good blood return but after advancing wire you felt resistance so you decide to come out. Wire is bend laterally ! What could be the reason ?

You may have cannulated upper part of great saphenous vein just before it enters femoral vein. As wire may bends while entering the junction and may obstruct free flow of wire. Get new wire and attempt again with little up and lateral with continous palpation of femoral artery to avoid arterial puncture ! (or utilize the bedside ultrasound if available).