Assessment of the acceptable length of right internal jugular central venous catheters for Indian population

Background: Central venous catheters have been used in various lengths based on the height of the patient or predetermined lengths. This study compared the different lengths of right IJV central venous catheters to determine the better length for average heights of Indian population. Patients and Methods:  This was a prospective observational study done on 148 patients with average heights of Indian population (160±10cm) who are scheduled for right IJV central venous catheters are a part of this study. The patients are divided into 3 group (10,13,15 cm). Three different lengths of catheters are inserted. An anteroposterior chest X-ray was taken for the patients and carina was taken as the acceptable landmark. The outcome measured between the three groups is need for repositioning. Statistical analysis was done using Chi square test, Fisher’s exact test. Results: 10 cm catheters were considered acceptable in terms of less incidence of repositioning and statistically significant with p value of 0.0001(H S) with respect to other lengths (13,15cm) for heights of average Indian population. (160±10 cm). Conclusion: From our study, we concluded that 10 cm CVC catheters are acceptable in cannulating right IJV for an average Indian height adult patients (160±10 cms)