Internal jugular access using pocket ultrasound in a simulated model: comparison between biplane and monoplane visualization techniques

Central venous access is a common procedure used for patients both inside and outside of intensive care units to insert various devices for patient hemodynamic monitoring, pharmacological and hydroelectrolytic therapies, renal replacement therapies, parenteral nutrition, and cardiac stimulation, among others [1]. In the United States, more than 5 million central venous catheters are inserted each year [2, 3]. Central catheter use is higher in the ICU (55.4%) than outside the ICU (24.4%) [4], representing a significant cost to the healthcare system of 17–29 billion dollars per year [5].

This intervention is associated with thrombotic, infectious, and mechanical complications, with reported frequencies of 15–26% [3, 6]. However, the use of ultrasound as a guide for insertion visualization has led to a decrease in complication rates in recent years. Systematic reviews have shown a decrease in complication rates of up to 71% with the use of ultrasound [7], resulting in a higher success rate and a complication rate of 4.6% [8]. Major medical associations now recommend its use [9‐12].

The in-plane and out-of-plane techniques are the most frequent techniques used for ultrasound-guided central venous access. However, no difference has been found between them [13‐15]. Recently, the biplane technique has been reported as another technique that combines the two techniques mentioned above for the passage of central catheters [16‐18]. This study aims to compare the biplane technique vs. in-plane and out-of-plane techniques for the insertion of jugular central venous accesses using a pocket ultrasound machine.

This is a single-factor experimental study conducted in simulation with a quantitative approach, developed at the Advanced Center for Clinical Simulation and Technological Innovation of the Universidad del Rosario in Bogota, Colombia. Specialists in emergency medicine with experience in ultrasound-guided vascular access were recruited to perform the punctures using visualization techniques in one and two planes. The call was kept open until 10 specialists who met the inclusion criteria were recruited and subsequently agreed to participate under informed consent. Based on previous studies, cannulation success in the first attempt was estimated at 90% for the biplane technique and 50% for the in-plane and out-of-plane techniques [1], requiring 60 procedures (20 for each technique) to achieve a power of 80% and an α error of 0.05, allowing detection of the difference between the ultrasound windows and the outcomes under study. The arcosine approximation was used, employing the Granmo application version 7.12 April 2012.

Prior to each set of three events, a random assignment of the three ultrasound planes was conducted to determine which one would be used. The randomization was performed using the statistical package R Core Team 4.2.2.

The procedure was performed on a simulated model for central vascular accesses, CentraLineMan^® System CML 50, which had external anatomical landmarks include clavicle, sternal notch, sternal and clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, manubrium, and lateral border of the first rib. The model was placed at a distance of 1.2 cm from the skin to the vessel at the lower third of the neck. A right jugular vein with a diameter of 1 cm and a right carotid artery located 7 mm away from the vein were used. The procedure utilized an adult central venous access device, Certofix^® Duo S 720, with an 18G × 2 ¾" needle, 0.89 mm diameter guide, and a length of 50 cm (Fig. 1).

Sociodemographic variables such as age and sex, experience-related variables, and procedure-related variables (time to window, time for internal jugular vein puncture, puncture success, posterior wall puncture, puncture success, redirection, and the number of punctures) were included.

The study was conducted in a controlled environment at a university simulation center. To ensure that participants were able to familiarize themselves with the ultrasound machine without becoming familiar with the characteristics of the actual target vessel, a different simulated model of the central venous access (Blue PhantomTM Central Venous Access) was used during the 15-min equipment familiarization period. This was done prior to the procedure, after each participant received a 6-min video explanation of the in-plane, out-of-plane, and biplane central venous access techniques. A researcher was present during this time to clarify any doubts about the operation of the ultrasound machine.

To perform the ultrasound windows, the Butterfly iQ + (pocket ultrasound scanner, reference 900-20006-01) was connected to an iPad Pro (9.7 inches) using the Butterfly Network V2.12.1 software, configured in the vascular access preset, with a depth of 3 cm and a gain of 90%. The participant could make adjustments considered pertinent to obtain real-time visualization of the best ultrasound window of the vessel to be cannulated.

The data were recorded immediately and stored digitally on university servers provided for this purpose (SharePoint-Office 365 license Universidad del Rosario), which only researchers had access to.

Ten expert specialists in emergency medicine with experience in ultrasound-guided vascular access were included in the study. Each expert performed a total of six procedures, two for each ultrasound plane evaluated (biplane, in-plane, and out-of-plane). Eighty percent of participants were men, with a mean age of 36 years (RIQ 6.25) and a mean of specialist experience was 5 years (RIQ 2.5).

According to the searches performed in different scientific databases by the researchers, this is the first study investigating the performance of a pocket ultrasound machine for internal jugular vein cannulation in a simulated model, comparing biplane visualization not only with out-of-plane visualization but also with in-plane visualization. The results indicate that contrary to the hypothesis of advantage with the biplane technique, no statistically significant differences were found in terms of success, execution time, frequency of posterior wall puncture, or need for needle redirection.

When comparing our study to the one conducted by Convissar et al., which used a simulated model for peripheral access with a smaller diameter compared to the larger diameter model used in our study, differences in the use of biplane vs. out-of-plane ultrasound techniques can be explained [18]. It is possible that the smaller diameter of the peripheral vessels in Convissar's study made visualization and access more difficult, which could have affected the effectiveness of the out-of-plane technique and improved the effectiveness of the biplane technique. In contrast, in our study, the larger diameter of the central vessels may have allowed for easier visualization and access, which could have reduced the differences in the effectiveness of the ultrasound techniques used.

In the study by Scholten et al., where the same type of ultrasound machine was used to compare the biplane technique vs. in-plane and out-of-plane techniques, the choice between any of the 2D techniques was subject to the preference of the professional at the time of performing radial artery catheterization in patients undergoing elective cardiothoracic surgery. It was found that 90% of the professionals in the 2D technique group preferred the use of the out-of-plane vs. in-plane technique [19]. In terms of overall success and success in the first attempt, as well as in the posterior wall puncture, no significant differences were found. No difference was observed in secondary outcomes such as the number of punctures, total procedure time, and perceived mental effort during the procedure by the operator.

In the study by Jones et al., where the biplane vs. out-of-plane technique was compared for the insertion of an internal jugular catheter in a simulated model, a procedure performed by emergency medicine residents with previous experience in the use of ultrasound guidance for obtaining vascular access, no significant differences were found in the success of cannulation or the frequency of puncture of the posterior wall [20]. Regarding secondary outcomes, a significant difference was observed in the time required for cannulation, being shorter in out-of-plane than in biplane. Concerning the success of cannulation on the first attempt or puncture of the posterior wall, no significant differences were found between the techniques.

This study has some limitations that should be acknowledged. First, the study was conducted in a simulation model, and the results may not necessarily translate to real patients. Although the simulation model allowed for standardized conditions, it is important to note that the anatomy and physiology of a simulated model may differ from that of a real patient. Therefore, caution should be exercised when interpreting the results of this study and further research should be conducted in real patient populations.

Second, all procedures were performed by emergency physicians with varying degrees of experience. While this reflects the current clinical practice, it may limit the generalizability of the results to other specialties or levels of experience. Future studies should include physicians from different specialties and levels of experience to better understand the applicability of these techniques in various clinical settings.

Despite these limitations, this study provides valuable insights into the efficacy of different ultrasound techniques for vascular access in a simulated model. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in real patient populations with a wider range of healthcare providers.

In this simulated model experiment for ultrasound-guided jugular vascular access with pocket ultrasound operated by emergency medicine physicians, no significant differences were evident when comparing biplane visualization with in-plane or out-of-plane visualization techniques in terms of cannulation success, time required for access, need for needle redirection, or frequency of puncture of the posterior vessel wall. The study results show that all three ultrasound planes performed well not only in terms of success but also in safety, which is important given their much lower cost compared to conventional equipment. These findings have important implications for clinical practice and highlight the potential benefits of using pocket ultrasound machines for internal jugular vein cannulation.