Axillary Vein Cannulation: 'Hockey' Probe Versus Linear Probe

Comparing Axillary Vein Cannulation with 'Hockey' Probe Versus Linear Probe for Central Venous Access

Central venous catheterization, specifically through the axillary vein, is a procedure of critical importance in various clinical contexts. Site selection is dependent on clinical assessment, experience and the physician preference. This study aims to evaluate the potential advantages of using the "hockey stick" ultrasonography probe for axillary vein cannulation and determine whether this probe enhances axillary vein imaging, accelerates the central vein cannulation procedure and reduces the rate of complications compared to the linear probe. Methods: 100 participants were recruited and allocated into two groups: the linear probe group and the hockey stick probe group. All procedures were performed by two senior anesthesia and intensive care residents, each with experience of over 100 central vascular access procedures. Follow-up chest X-rays were taken two hours post-procedure to verify the correct position of the catheter and to rule out complications such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, cardiac tamponade, and incorrect line placement.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: CVC; Ultrasound Guided Central Venous Cannulation
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Axillary Vein Cannulation

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 100

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Poland
  • Warsaw, Poland
    • II Klinika Anestezjologii i Intensywnej Terapii

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patient scheduled for elective placement of the central venous catheter in the axillary vein.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• age above 18 years old
• scheduled for elective central venous catheter in the axillary vein

Exclusion Criteria:

• medical contraindication for axillary vein cannulation (coagulation abnormalities, local skin infection or chest wall deformation)
• patient consent decline

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Hockey ultrasound probe; Use of Hockey ultrasound probe for axillary vein cannulation	Procedure: Axillary Vein Cannulation; This study aims to evaluate the potential advantages of using the "hockey stick" ultrasonography probe for axillary vein cannulation and determine whether this probe enhances axillary vein imaging, accelerates the central vein cannulation procedure and reduces the rate of complications compared to the linear probe
Linear ultrasound probe; Use of linear ultrasound probe for axillary vein cannulation	Procedure: Axillary Vein Cannulation; This study aims to evaluate the potential advantages of using the "hockey stick" ultrasonography probe for axillary vein cannulation and determine whether this probe enhances axillary vein imaging, accelerates the central vein cannulation procedure and reduces the rate of complications compared to the linear probe

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Success on first attempt	An attempt is defined by every needle direction change. Whenever vein puncture was not achieved by a simple, straight movement without any change of direction in any plane this cannulation was not counted as success at first attempt	24 hours
Number attempts	An attempt is defined by every needle direction change. Whenever vein puncture was not achieved by a simple, straight movement without any change of direction in any plane this cannulation was not counted as success at first attempt	24 hours
Procedure Time	The procedure time measurement stops when skin dressing is applied. Time measurement was done by an independent observer.	24 hours
Cumulative number of complications	Complications early and late were recorded either with ultrasonography immedi-ately after the procedure or in the chest X-ray 2 hours after.	24 hours

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Medical University of Warsaw

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): July 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 30, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 29, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 29, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: KB/27/2022

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No