Ultrasound-guided vessel catheterization in adult Yorkshire cross-bred pigs

Objective

To describe an ultrasound-guided approach for venous and arterial vascular access and catheterization in anesthetized adult Yorkshire cross-bred pigs.

Study design

Prospective experimental study.

Animals

Ten adult female Yorkshire cross-bred pigs, weighing 78.4 ± 5.6 kg (mean ± standard deviation).

Methods

Using ultrasound guidance and the Seldinger technique, a 7 Fr, 20 cm triple-lumen central venous catheter was placed in the external jugular vein and an 18 gauge, 16 cm catheter was placed in the femoral artery. The success rate of catheterization and the incidence of catheter patency over 24 hours of general anesthesia were recorded.

Results

Catheterization of the external jugular vein was successful in 10 out of 10 pigs and catheterization of the femoral artery was successful in eight out of 10 pigs. A surgical dissection technique on the femoral artery was performed in two pigs. Venous and arterial catheter patency was maintained in all pigs over the 24 hour study period.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Ultrasound guidance resulted in success rates of 100% for catheterization of the external jugular vein and 80% for catheterization of the femoral artery in anesthetized adult Yorkshire cross-bred pigs. This technique is a noninvasive, easily performed alternative to surgical exposure of the vessels in large pigs undergoing surgical instrumentation for biomedical device testing.