Rapid Femoral Vein Assessment (RaFeVA): A systematic protocol for ultrasound evaluation of the veins of the lower limb, so to optimize the insertion of femorally inserted central catheters

Fabrizio Brescia; Mauro Pittiruti; Matthew Ostroff; Daniele G Biasucci

doi:10.1177/1129729820965063

Rapid Femoral Vein Assessment (RaFeVA): A systematic protocol for ultrasound evaluation of the veins of the lower limb, so to optimize the insertion of femorally inserted central catheters

J Vasc Access. 2021 Nov;22(6):863-872. doi: 10.1177/1129729820965063. Epub 2020 Oct 16.

Authors

Fabrizio Brescia¹, Mauro Pittiruti², Matthew Ostroff³, Daniele G Biasucci⁴

Affiliations

¹ Unit of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Vascular Access Team, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano, IRCCS, Aviano, Italy.
² Department of Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A.Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
³ APN/Vascular Coordinator Saint Joseph's University Medical Center, Paterson, NJ, USA.
⁴ Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A.Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

PMID: 33063616
DOI: 10.1177/1129729820965063

Abstract

In this paper we describe a new protocol-named RaFeVA (Rapid Femoral Vein Assessment)-for the systematic US assessment of the veins in the inguinal area and at mid-thigh, designed to evaluate patency and caliber of the common and superficial femoral veins and choose the best venipuncture site before insertion of a FICC.

Keywords: Techniques and procedures; assessment; central venous access; patient safety; ultrasound.

Publication types

Editorial

MeSH terms

Catheterization, Central Venous* / adverse effects
Catheters, Indwelling
Femoral Vein* / diagnostic imaging
Humans
Thigh
Ultrasonography