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Beware Trendelenburg Positioning in the Critically Ill Obese Patient
- When inserting a central venous catheter (CVC) into the internal jugular or subclavian vein, clinicians often place patients in the Trendelenburg position to increase the size of the vein.
- When possible, avoid Trendelenburg position for CVC placement in the morbidly obese patient.
- These patients can quickly deteriorate in this position due to reduced lung volumes, increased right heart pressures, decreased cardiopulmonary reserve, and the effects in intra-abdominal pressure.
References
Rahman O, Willis L. Vascular procedures in the critically ill obese patient. Crit Care Clin 2010;26:647-60.