USE OF TOLAZOLINE TO COUNTERACT VASOSPASM IN PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL CATHETERS IN NEONATES

Arterial access for blood sampling and continuous blood pressure monit oring is the cornerstone of modern neonatal intensive care. Although u mbilical arterial catheters have traditionally been utilized for arter ial access, they are associated with potentially devastating complicat ions. Consequently, there has been an increase in the use of periphera l arterial catheters. Unfortunately, these catheters have a limited us eful lifespan secondary to vasospasm, intimal damage and/or thrombus f ormation. In this report, we describe the use of tolazoline (0.02 to 0 .2 mg/kg/h) to counteract local arterial vasospasm in five critically ill neonates, where arterial access was vital for care but difficult t o maintain.