[A case of atrial flutter after umbilical venous catheterization]

Ultrasound Monitoring of Umbilical Catheters in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit-A Prospective Observational Study

Introduction: Umbilical catheterization provides a quick yet demanding central line that can lead to complications seen nowhere else. The aim of our study was to determine whether the repeated ultrasound scanning can influence the catheterization time, prevent some of the catheter-related complications, support the decision-making process and allow prolonged catheterization in patients without an alternative central access route. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. A total of 129 patients and 194 umbilical catheters (119 venous and 75 arterial) were analyzed with a total of 954 scans. Ultrasound screening consisted of 1) assessing the catheter tip, location, movability, and surface and 2) analyzing the catheter trajectory. The outcome variables were defined as 1) catheter dislocation and 2) associated thrombosis. Results: Dislocation of catheter throughout the whole catheterization period was observed in 68% (81/119) of UVCs and 23% (17/75) of UACs. Thrombotic complications were observed in 34.5% (41/119) of UVCs and 12% (9/75) of UACs. 1/3 of UAC-associated thrombi were visible only after catheter removal. 51% (61/119) of UVC patients and 8% (6/75) of UAC patients made a clinical decision regarding the obtained catheter image. Conclusion: Bedside ultrasound imaging of catheters supports the decision-making process related to the catheterization duration, shortening the time if abnormalities are detected and allowing a safer prolonged UC stay when an alternative central line cannot be inserted.

Central Venous Catheter-Related Tachycardia in the Newborn: Case Report and Literature Review

Central venous access is an important aspect of neonatal intensive care management. Malpositioned central catheters have been reported to induce cardiac tachyarrhythmia in adult populations and there are case reports within the neonatal population. We present a case of a preterm neonate with a preexisting umbilical venous catheter (UVC), who then developed a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). This was initially treated with intravenous adenosine with transient reversion. Catheter migration was subsequently detected, with the UVC tip located within the heart. Upon withdrawal of the UVC and a final dose of adenosine, the arrhythmia permanently resolved. Our literature review confirms that tachyarrhythmia is a rare but recognised neonatal complication of malpositioned central venous catheters. We recommend the immediate investigation of central catheter position when managing neonatal tachyarrhythmia, as catheter repositioning is an essential aspect of management.

Neonatal atrial flutter after insertion of an intracardiac umbilical venous catheter

Objective:

To describe a case of neonatal atrial flutter after the insertion of an intracardiac umbilical venous catheter, reporting the clinical presentation and reviewing the literature on this subject.

Case description:

A late-preterm newborn, born at 35 weeks of gestational age to a diabetic mother and large for gestational age, with respiratory distress and rule-out sepsis, required an umbilical venous access. After the insertion of the umbilical venous catheter, the patient presented with tachycardia. Chest radiography showed that the catheter was placed in the position that corresponds to the left atrium, and traction was applied. The patient persisted with tachycardia, and an electrocardiogram showed atrial flutter. As the patient was hemodynamically unstable, electric cardioversion was successfully applied.

Comments:

The association between atrial arrhythmias and misplaced umbilical catheters has been described in the literature, but in this case, it is noteworthy that the patient was an infant born to a diabetic mother, which consists in another risk factor for heart arrhythmias. Isolated atrial flutter is a rare tachyarrhythmia in the neonatal period and its identification is essential to establish early treatment and prevent systemic complications and even death.

[Supraventricular tachycardia in infants]

Supraventricular tachycardia in infants are variable. We try to summarize clinical, electrical and treatment particularities of supraventricular arrhythmia in infants. The majority of infants with supraventricular arrhythmia have a good clinical outcome and an excellent prognosis and may not require chronic antiarrhythmic therapy if they had precocious treatment.

Cardiac arrhythmias associated with umbilical venous catheterisation in neonates

Umbilical venous catheters (UVCs) are commonly used in the management of severely ill neonates. Several life-threatening complications have been described, including catheter-related infections, myocardial perforation, pericardial effusion and cardiac arrhythmias. This report describe two neonates with cardiac arrhythmias due to umbilical venous catheterisation. One neonate had a supraventricular tachycardia requiring treatment with intravenous adenosine administration. Another neonate had an atrial flutter and was managed successfully with synchronised cardioversion. The primary cause of cardiac arrhythmias after umbilical venous catheterisation is inappropriate position of the UVC within the heart and the first step to treat them should be to pull back or even remove the catheter. Cardiac arrhythmia is a rare but potentially severe complication of umbilical venous catheterisation in neonates.

Atrial flutter in a premature infant with a structurally normal heart

Isolated postnatal atrial flutter (AF) with a structurally normal heart is rare in the neonatal period. Central lines have their inherent risks and are frequently used in the management of growing premature newborns. Some new antimicrobial agents do have pro-arrhythmic effects, proven in adults but with limited data available for the newborn. We present a case of atrial flutter with 2:1 block in a 1-month-old premature baby with possible contribution from an intra-cardiac catheter and/or use of a broad spectrum antimicrobial.

Central venous catheter techniques in infants and children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The placement of central venous catheters is often necessary to facilitate optimal anaesthetic and perioperative management or for the long-term management of chronic underlying diseases. Insertion may be a challenge in selected patients, and the risk of infection, thrombosis, and other complications may result in significant risk factors.

RECENT FINDINGS

Ultrasound visualization of the cervical veins with Valsalva manoeuvres significantly increases the rate and safety of central venous cannulation, and decreases needle passes in paediatric patients even with experienced operators. Pericardial effusion with tamponade is a more frequent phenomenon than generally realized, and accurate location of the catheter-tip position is essential. The femoral venous approach has proved to be safe even in premature babies. Clear guidelines for infection control and the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections in children have been established; however, the high incidence of nosocomial catheter-related infections requires effective prevention strategies. The impact of antimicrobial-impregnated central venous catheters on the prevention of bloodstream infections in children is not yet clear. Routine use of prophylactic antibiosis (i.e. vancomycin) to prevent catheter-related infection cannot be recommended. Thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is safe, efficient, well tolerated and effective for lysis of catheter-induced intravascular and intracardiac thrombi even in neonates. Embolized catheter fragments can be retrieved in neonates and children by non-surgical interventions using standard procedures applied by paediatric cardiologists.

SUMMARY

Despite a variety of new techniques, the major problem of central venous catheterization in neonates and children remains the prevention of catheter-related infection and infection control.