Ultrasound Measurements of Basilica Vein Diameter at Room Air Breathing and at Positive Pressure on Healthy Volunteers

Overview

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICC) and midline placement requires the catheter size to be one third of the venous diameter, or less. However, measurements during CPAP (Continous Positive Airway Pressure) might overestimate the diameter of veins in patients requiring a PICC line. The investigators will enroll 28 healthy subjects to measure their basilica vein diameter at atmospheric pressure and at 10 cmH2O of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP). PEEP will be applied through a CPAP helmet with the straps placed under the arms or tied to the bed. The investigators will test the hypothesis that positive airway pressure significantly increases vein diameter. Under this hypothesis, the indication of avoiding catheters larger than one third of the vein diameter should be revised, as venous enlargement during PEEP may lead to the placement of inappropriately large catheters.

After consent, the investigators will enroll 28 participants, randomized with a 1:1:1:1 ratio (sealed envelope) to one of the following groups: A) Room air -\> CPAP (armpit straps) -\> CPAP (w/o straps) B) Room air -\> CPAP (w/o straps) -\> CPAP (armpit straps) C) CPAP (armpit straps) -\> CPAP (w/o straps) -\> Room air D) CPAP (w/o straps) -\> CPAP (armpit straps) - \> Room air The investigators will exclude from the study participants with an ASA score (American Society of Anesthesiology) of 3 or more, subjects with a BMI lower than 20 or with a history of pneumothorax or venous thrombosis. Investigators will enroll adult patients only (age \> 18). The primary endpoint is the evaluation of a clinically significant change in venous diameter in subjects breathing at room air or during positive pressure support. The investigators decided to deliver CPAP through a CPAP Helmet, as this device is noninvasive, very weill tolerated and widely used at the study hospital. CPAP Helmet are provided with armpit straps. Secondary endpoints are the evaluation of venous flow-velocity changes and the influence of placing the helmet straps under the armpits on venous flow dynamics (venous diameter, flow-velocity). The study is composed of three steps of 5 minutes each. At each step, the investigators will use ultrasound to measure the diameter of basilica vein and venous flow-velocity at the right mid arm, while recording basic vital signs (heart rate, non-invasive blood pressure, pulsoximetry). The investigators will also gather basic biometric data (age, weight, height, gender). At room air, no intervention is given: after 5 minutes, vital signs are collected and the ultrasound measurements performed (basilica vein diameter, venous blood flow-velocity). At CPAP (armpit straps), the subjects will wear a CPAP helmet and receive 10 cmH2O of PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure), with the helmet straps placed under the subjects' armpit: after 5 minutes, vital signs are collected and the ultrasound measurements performed (basilica vein diameter, venous blood flow-velocity). At CPAP (w/o straps), the helmet is tied to the subjects' bed: after 5 minutes, vital signs are collected and the ultrasound measurements performed (basilica vein diameter, venous blood flow-velocity).