Ultrasound-guided versus landmark approach for peripheral intravenous access by critical care nurses: a randomised controlled study

OBJECTIVE: Establishing a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) after a long intensive care unit (ICU) stay can be a challenge for nurses, as these patients may present vascular access issues. The aim of this study was to compare an ultrasound-guided method (UGM) versus the landmark method (LM) for the placement of a PIVC in ICU patients who no longer require a central intravenous catheter (CIVC). DESIGN: Randomised, controlled, prospective, open-label, single-centre study. SETTING: Tertiary teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 114 awake patients hospitalised in ICU fulfilling the following criteria: (1) with a central venous catheter that was no longer required, (2) needing a PIVC to replace the central venous catheter and (3) with no apparent or palpable veins on upper limbs after tourniquet placement. INTERVENTION: Placement of a PIVC using an UGM. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Number of attempts for the establishment of a PIVC in the upper limbs. RESULTS: 57 patients were respectively included in both the UGM group and LM group. Stasis oedema in the upper limbs was the main cause of poor venous access identified in 80% of patients. Both the number of attempts (2 (1–4), p=0.911) and catheter lifespan ((3 (1–3) days and 3 (2–3) days, p=0.719) were similar between the two groups. Catheters in the UGM group tended to be larger (p=0.059) and be associated with increased extravasation (p=0.094). CONCLUSION: In ICU patients who no longer require a CIVC, use of an UGM for the establishment of a PIVC is not associated with a reduction in the number of attempts compared with LM. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02285712; Results.