Ultrasound-Guided Central Venous Catheters insertion in Pediatric Intensive Care

Abstract

Introduction: The use of ultrasound for central venous catheter (CVC) insertion has progressively become the standard of care in pediatric intensive care units. This study aims to describe our unit's experience with ultrasound-guided CVC insertion and to assess its feasibility and associated complications. Patients and methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to pediatric medical intensive care between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024, who underwent ultrasound-guided insertion of a CVC. Results: 124 CVCs were inserted under ultrasound guidance in 109 patients. Median age was 2 months, median weight 4 kg. Shock (32.1%) and perioperative management of cardiac surgery (22.9%) were the two main indications. No cases of pneumothorax, hemothorax, or tamponade. Primary bacteremia was the main complication (30 cases). CVCs were not implicated in patient deaths. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided CVC insertion reduced the failure rate and eliminated mechanical complications encountered during anatomical landmark-based insertion.