The accuracy of electrocardiogram-controlled central line placement.

Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) guidance to confirm accurate positioning of central venous catheters (CVC), placed before surgery in the operating room, is rarely used in the United States. We designed this randomized, controlled trial to investigate whether the use of this technique impacts the accuracy of CVC placement.

Methods: Patients in group ECG (n = 147) had a CVC placed using right-atrial ECG to guide catheter tip positioning.