Experience with ultrasound use in central venous catheterization (jugular-femoral) in pediatric patients in an intensive care unit

Objectives. Describe ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization use comparing the number of attempts (1 versus 2 or more attempts) in relation to catheters placed in the internal jugular vein (IJV) versus the femoral vein (FV). Material and methods. Descriptive, prospective study of central venous catheters (CVCs) inserted via ultrasound-guided puncture in patients aged 1 month to 18 years. A multivariate regression model was done considering the primary endpoint, first puncture success in relation to the insertion site (IJV versus FV), and predictors of success. Results. A total of 257 CVCs were inserted: IJV 118 (45.9%), FV 139 (54.1%); 161 (62.7%) were inserted in the first attempt and 96 (37.3%) required more than 1 attempt. IJV insertions were successful with the first puncture in 86 patients (53.5%) and FV insertions, in 75 (46.5%) (p 0.0018; OR: 0.43 [95% CI: 0.24-0.76]). There were 21 (8.1%) immediate complications: 3 (1.86%) were related to the first puncture, 18 (18.75%), to more than 1 puncture (p 0.0001 [95% CI: 3.36-45.68]). There were 4 cases of severe complications, including pneumothorax. Conclusions. Ultrasound-guided venous catheterization demonstrated to be significantly successful in the first attempt when using the IJV versus FV, especially in infants younger than 6 months. Immediate complications occurred more frequently in patients requiring more than 1 puncture. © 2022 Sociedad Argentina de Pediatria. All rights reserved.