CVC-TIP
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised prospective feasibility study of real-time intracavity ECG monitoring and thoracic point of care ultrasound for CVC tip placement confirmation in Critical Care
IRAS ID
360875
Contact name
Andrew Chamberlain
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Sometimes patients need medications that can only be given directly into large veins. For this they require a central venous catheter (CVC). This is a thin, flexible tube inserted into a large vein, most commonly in the neck, under ultrasound guidance. Correct placement of the CVC tip is vital to ensure that the treatment is safe and effective, and to avoid complications.
Doctors typically use a chest x-ray (CXR) to confirm the tip of the catheter is in the correct position, and to rule out problems such as a collapsed lung (a pneumothorax). However, this process takes time, can delay treatment, exposes patients to ionising radiation, and increases workload.
Newer techniques are available that may offer a quicker and safer way to confirm the position of the CVC tip. One method uses intracavity-ECG (electrocardiogram) guidance during the procedure to help place the catheter tip more accurately. Separately, an ultrasound can be undertaken at the time of the procedure to scan the lungs and rule out a pneumothorax. Both methods are already used in some hospitals, but more research is needed to confirm whether together they could reliably replace a CXR.
The primary objective of this feasibility study is to assess the ability to recruit and randomise eligible patients undergoing CVC insertion to the three study arms (usual care, right-sided insertion, intracavity-ECG guidance and chest ultrasound, left-sided insertion, intracavity-ECG guidance and chest ultrasound) within a defined period. The study will also evaluate the feasibility of delivering the intervention, successful use of intracavitary-ECG, and thoracic point-of-care ultrasound for catheter tip verification in routine clinical practice.
The findings of this study will be used to support the development of a larger, multicentre trial, guide training, and inform workflow changes, making the findings not only scientifically valuable but also highly translatable to clinical practice.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/NW/0036
Date of REC Opinion
23 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion