Randomized comparison of three guidewire insertion depths on incidence of arrhythmia during central venous catheterization.

Objective: Guidewire-induced arrhythmias that occur during central venous catheterization can progress to malignant arrhythmias in rare cases. This study compared the incidence of arrhythmia during central venous catheterization using three different depths of guidewire insertion into the right internal jugular vein.

Methods: Sixty-nine patients undergoing elective surgery requiring central venous catheterization through the right internal jugular vein were enrolled in this double-blind, prospective, randomized, and controlled study.