Ultrasonic guidance and the complications of central line placement in the emergency department

Abstract

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether ultrasonic guidance reduces the complication rate during central line placement in the emergency department. Altogether 349 papers were found using the reported search, of which two presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated.