Central venous access to the cranial vena cava via the omobrachial vein in the dog

Abstract

Background: The omobrachial vein is a superficial vein that crosses the brachial region of the dog. It terminates in the cranial vena cava, offering a novel site for central venous catheterization into the cranial thorax. Case Summary The omobrachial vein served as a point of access to the cranial vena cava for treatment and monitoring of a critical canine patient in this report. The omobrachial vein was catheterized using the modified-Seldinger technique due to contamination of or lack of availability of commonly used central venous catheter insertion sites. Conclusion Access to the cranial vena cava via the omobrachial vein was easily achieved, and the catheter was maintained without complication for 10 days. Although the site was successfully used in the patient in this report, omobrachial vein anatomy is not consistent in all dogs. © Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2008.