Percutaneous Inserted Venous Catheter via Femoral Vein in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants: A Single-Center Experience

• Published in: American journal of perinatology Vol. 37; no. 14; p. 1432
• Main Authors: Bergón-Sendín, Elena, Soriano-Ramos, María, Méndez-Marín, María Dolores, De Miguel-Moya, Mónica, Fontiveros-Escalona, Diego, Diezma-Godino, Mercedes, Pallás-Alonso, Carmen Rosa, Moral-Pumarega, María Teresa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.12.2020
• ISSN: 1098-8785
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1693718

This study aimed to assess the applicability of the insertion of small diameter catheters through the femoral vein in extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants. All femoral small diameter catheters (Silastic or femoral arterial catheter [FAC]) inserted in ELBW infants in a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit were retrospectively reviewed. Success rate, dwelling time, and percutaneously inserted central venous catheter-related complications were recorded. Thirteen small diameter catheters were inserted in seven ELBW infants. Mean gestational age at birth was 25  weeks (standard deviation [SD] ± 2.12) and mean birth weight was 686 g (SD ± 204.9). Mean weight at the first time of insertion was 1,044 g (SD ± 376.3). In two occasions, a FAC was used instead of a Silastic. In most cases (11/13, 84.6%), the patient was intubated prior to the procedure. The mean dwelling time was 16.7 days (SD ± 9.8). Most of the inserted small diameter catheters were removed electively (8/12, 66.7%), except for one episode of clinical sepsis from coagulase-negative and three cases of accidental line extravasation. No other complications were reported. The success rate was 92.3%. Femoral venous catheterization using small diameter catheters in ELBW infants may be promising when other routes have been exhausted. Our results support that it is a feasible technique that can be performed at the bedside with successful results when conducted by experienced personnel.