Inadvertent intra-arterial catheterisation using ultrasound guidance and endocavitary electrocardiography in a paediatric patient.

Venous access in small infants is difficult and central venous catheter placed into the brachiocephalic vein is often the preferred approach. Ultrasound guided vein cannulation is standard practice and endocavitary electrocardiography is a reliable catheter tip location method. We report a not immediately recognised 2 month old case of inadvertent intra-arterial catheterisation with a 3 Fr - 8 cm catheter during right innominate vein cannulation under ultrasound guidance.

Effect of different cycling-off criteria and positive end-expiratory pressure during pressure support ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objective: During pressure support ventilation, ventilator inspiration ends when inspiratory flow drops to a given percentage of the peak inspiratory flow cycling-off criteria. This study evaluated the effect of two different cycling-off criteria on breathing pattern, respiratory effort, and gas exchange in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Design: Clinical study.

The effect of different volumes and temperatures of saline on the bladder pressure measurement in critically ill patients.

Introduction: Intra-abdominal hypertension is common in critically ill patients and is associated with increased severity of organ failure and mortality. The techniques most commonly used to estimate intra-abdominal pressure are measurements of bladder and gastric pressures. The bladder technique requires that the bladder be infused with a certain amount of saline, to ensure that there is a conductive fluid column between the bladder and the transducer.