ULTRASOUND-GUIDED PERCUTANEOUS CENTRAL VE NOUS CATHETERIZATION IN PRETERM INFANTS

Percutaneous central venous catheterization is commonly performed in v ery premature babies, in whom parenteral nutrition via a central vein is required to ensure adequate growth. The value of using ultrasound g uidance rather than roentgenograms for percutaneous central venous cat heterization was evaluated prospectively in ten premature neonates wit h gestational ages of 26 to 31 weeks and birth weights of 960 to 1570 g. Dynamic ultrasonography with transverse oblique views was used. Acc urate, real-time positioning of the catheter tin in the right atrium w as achieved in all ten infants. In two cases, ultrasonography allowed to correct catheter progression In the wrong vein. Ultrasound data con sistently agreed with roentgenographic data. Ultrasonography may be th e better technique because it allows real-time monitoring of catheter position, saving valuable time. The greater precision of ultrasound mo nitoring and absence of radiation exposure are additional advantages. Furthermore, ultrasound can be performed repeatedly to monitor the cat heter and detect complications.