CVP catheter placement from the antecubital veins using a J-wire catheter guide

Catheterization of a central vein is used for measurement of central venous pressure (CVP), for rapid administration of fluids or blood products, and when accurately placed, removal of entrained air embolism is possible. Insertion of a CVP catheter from the basilic or cephalic veins of the arm offers few complications, but success often is hampered by an inability to advance the catheter into the larger intrathoracic veins. Using a catheter system equipped with a lumen-following J-wire guide, we inserted central venous catheters from antecubital sites and evaluated ease of insertion and final catheter position.