Death as a complication of peripherally inserted central catheters in neonates.
We report 2 neonatal deaths caused by cardiac tamponade related to peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). A total of 3 deaths were noted for 390 PICCs placed, giving an incidence of 0.76%. To determine the magnitude of neonatal death related to PICCs, directors of neonatal intensive care units in the United States were surveyed by means of a questionnaire. Myocardial perforation and pericardial effusion were reported by 29% and 43%, respectively. Deaths were attributed to PICCs by 24% of the respondents. Uniform guidelines need to be formulated to avoid this complication.
Nadroo
A M
AM
Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA.
Lin
J
J
Green
R S
RS
Magid
M S
MS
Holzman
I R
IR
D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016019:Survival Analysis