Midline Catheter Insertion (MCI)

Midline catheters are defined as peripherally inserted catheters, which enter the venous circulation in the antecubital fossa or arm, about 8 to 20 cm in length, and do not pass the axilla to become centrally located. Insertion should be ultrasound guided by an experienced operator to ensure large-caliber basilic or brachial veins are selected to avoid thrombosis.

Which ultrasound scanner is best used for Midline Catheter Insertion?

The Mini Linear Handheld WiFi Ultrasound Scanner ML1allows the physician to Identify the basilic vein, the brachial veins (usually paired and on either side of the brachial artery), and the median nerve on each arm. The artery will be pulsatile, and the veins easily compressible. For this reason, it is strongly suggested by our anesthesiologist clients.

The ML1 can provide both qualitative and quantitative data in the whole arena of Aesthetics and Wellness, energy medicine, physiological medicine, naturopathy, and integrative medicine.

With its frequency of 10 to 14 MHz it helps the practitioner to ensure the brachial veins’ safe penetration and intra-injection and avoid failed needle attempts and thrombosis; during the Midline Catheter Insertion procedure.

It is used to rescan and to ensure the wire and cannula are in the correct vein. The anesthesiologist should scan all the way up the arm to the wire tip to ensure it is all in the vein.

Moreover, the anesthesiologist uses the ML1  to identify the basilic vein, the brachial veins, and the median nerve on each arm. This way, the artery will be pulsatile.

A study has shown that during the insertion of a midline catheter in a patient’s brachial vein under ultrasound guidance for the administration of anesthetic agents and intraoperative support during reconstructive surgery. Reported to be a successful use of the midline catheter in the patient with extensive postburn scar contractures.  

Reference: Ultrasound-guided placement of midline catheters,  Ultrasound-guided placement of a midline catheter in a patient with extensive postburn contractures.