Unidirectional 8-MHz continuous wave Doppler equipment can facilitate catheterization of the internal jugular vein.

In a prospective study, 8-MHz unidirectional, continuous wave Doppler equipment was shown to improve the success rate of internal jugular vein catheterization. In the first series of 100 patients, punctures were randomly divided into two groups, via the anterior or posterior route, representing the standard technique. The second series of 50 patients underwent punctures guided by the Doppler technique. The Doppler route was successful in 48 test punctures with 47 catheter placements. Via the anterior route, 14 of 50 test punctures were positive, with 11 catheter placements; for the posterior route, test punctures were positive in 25 of 50 cases, with 18 catheter placements. With the Doppler technique, it should be possible to increase the rate of successful catheterization of the internal jugular vein while reducing complications.