title: Inferior vena cava catheterization in the neonate by the percutaneous femoral vein method.
abstract: Placement of percutaneous femoral venous catheters in neonates is rarely performed for long-term central venous access. We studied 44 neonates (gestational age, 32.4 +/- 48 weeks, postnatal age, 18 +/- 32 days) with lack of other venous access sites. The femoral vein was entered with a 19-gauge introducer needle with placement of a 2F silastic catheter localized at the inferior vena cava-right atrial junction. Catheter-related sepsis, bacteremia, or thrombophlebitis did not occur in any patients. Our findings suggest that percutaneous femoral-vena cava catheters can be safely used when other nonfemoral sites are unavailable.
authors.affiliation: Driscoll Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi, Tex., USA.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Serrao
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jean-Louis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Godoy
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prado
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior