Central Venous Catheters

Audience: Medical Students and residents Learning Objectives: Identify and describe the appropriate position of central venous catheters, and the common incorrect positions Choose the appropriate next step in management for handling a misplaced line or pneumothorax Summary: Lines should terminate at the superior cavo-atrial junction Short, long, or misdirected line should be repositioned Lines with abnormal course need CT Intra-arterial or extravascular line need Vascular Surgery Consult before removal