COMPARISON OF THE FLOW-RATES OF CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERS DESIGNED FORRAPID TRANSFUSION IN INFANTS AND SMALL CHILDREN

Large-bore Hickman(R) catheters are useful in infants and small childr en for the rapid transfusion of blood or fluids into the central circu lation. Recently high-now plastic sheaths have been developed for the same purpose. We compared the flow rates of normal saline, 5% albumin and packed red blood cells through two sizes of Hickman catheters that have been recommended for major surgery in infants to five sizes of A rrow(R) plastic sheaths of comparable external diameters, and to 14 an d 16 gauge Jelco(R) catheters. The flow rates of all three solutions t hrough the plastic sheaths and the 14 gauge Jelco catheters were super ior to both sizes of Hickman catheters. Shortening the Hickman cathete rs improved their flow. High-flow plastic sheaths can provide a useful alternative to Hickman catheters in patients where permanent, large-b ore central venous catheters are not required. Hickman catheters shoul d be shortened as much as safely possible if; massive haemorrhage is a nticipated.