Cavoatrial junction

This junction marks the inferior end of the superior vena cava, the continuation below that point being considered part of the heart.

For purposes of radiographic visualization, the most reliable indicator of junction location is to find the carina, then observe the vertebrae it overlies.

Hospitalized patients may need to receive solutions and medications that, if given through an ordinary intravenous therapy catheter, would severely damage both blood cells and the vascular system.

All such catheters placed for the purpose of venous access and being inserted in the upper body will ideally have the tip placed within the superior vena cava at or just above the cavoatrial junction.

However, other practitioners prefer the proximal RA and state that there is no evidence of harm.