Continuing Controversy of Midclavicular Catheters

A review of 50 years of research on catheter tip placement indicates an overwhelming preference for the lower third of the superior vena cava as the appropriate tip location. Despite this evidence, there are still practitioners, physicians, and nurses who advocate tip placement within the axillo-subclavian-innominate vein (also referred to as the midclavicular). This article looks at the arguments presented by practitioners who support midclavicular tip placement. It also reviews some of the research from which the recommendations for superior vena cava placement are derived.