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Cath‐Finder‐TM Catheter Tracking System: a new device for positioning of central venous catheters. Early experience from implantation of brachial portal systems
Author(s) -
Starkhammar H.,
Bengtsson M.,
Kay D. A.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.1990.tb03089.x
Subject(s) - fluoroscopy , medicine , catheter , port (circuit theory) , radiology , venous access , vena cava , nuclear medicine , surgery , electrical engineering , engineering
To simplify the implantation procedure of a new brachially implantable venous access system (P.A.S. Port TM , Pharmacia Deltec Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA), the Cath‐Finder TM Catheter Tracking System (Pharmacia Deltec) was evaluated. The Cath‐Finder senses the catheter tip position by utilizing a preconnected sensor wire (guidewire) within a catheter to detect an electromagnetic signal transmitted through the body tissue from a locator wand positioned over an appropriate external landmark. The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Cath‐Finder (compared to fluoroscopy) in determining the catheter tip position peroperatively during implantation of P.A.S. Port TM systems in patients with malignant diseases. The accuracy of the Cath‐Finder in assessing the position of the catheter tip was registered in 16 implantation procedures. The tip positions determined with the Cath‐Finder (when projected on the skin) correlated well to fluoroscopy (within 1 cm in eleven patients, 2–3 cm in four patients, and 4 cm in one patient). By using the right 3rd rib parasternally as an external landmark for the locator wand, the Cath‐Finder Catheter Tracking System appears to be an alternative to fluoroscopy peroperatively for accurate placement of central venous catheters in the superior vena cava. However, a postoperative confirmatory x‐ray control is recommended until further experience of the system is available.