Predicting the optimal depth of left-sided central venous catheters in children

Unusual Association of Diamond-Blackfan Anemia and Severe Sinus Bradycardia in a Six-Month-Old White Infant: A Case Report and Literature Review

Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a rare (6-7 million live births), inherited condition manifesting as severe anemia due to the impaired bone marrow production of red blood cells. We present the unusual case of a six month old infant with a de novo mutation of the RPS19 gene causing Diamond-Blackfan anemia who additionally suffers from severe sinus bradycardia. The infant was diagnosed with this condition at the age of four months; at the age of 6 months, she presents with severe anemia causing hypoxia which, in turn, caused severe dyspnea and polypnea, which had mixed causes (hypoxic and infectious) as the child was febrile. After correction of the overlapping diarrhea, metabolic acidosis, and severe anemia (hemoglobin < 3 g/dL), she developed severe persistent sinus bradycardia immediately after mild sedation (before central venous catheter insertion), not attributable to any of the more frequent causes, with a heart rate as low as 49 beats/min on 24 h Holter monitoring, less than the first percentile for age, but with a regular QT interval and no arrhythmia. The echocardiogram was unremarkable, showing a small interatrial communication (patent foramen ovale with left-to-right shunting), mild left ventricular hypertrophy, normal systolic and diastolic function, and mild tricuspid regurgitation. After red cell transfusion and appropriate antibiotic and supportive treatment, the child's general condition improved dramatically but the sinus bradycardia persisted. We consider this a case of well-tolerated sinus bradycardia and foresee a good cardiologic prognosis, while the hematologic prognosis remains determined by future corticoid response, treatment-related complications and risk of leukemia.

Central Venous Catheters for Hemodialysis-the Myth and the Evidence

Hemodialysis-central venous catheter (HD-CVC) insertion is a most often performed procedure, with approximately 80% of patients with end-stage kidney disease in the United States initiating kidney replacement therapy through a HD-CVC. Certain adverse events arising from HD-CVC placement, including catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSIs), thrombosis, and central vein stenosis, can complicate the clinical course of patients and lead to considerable financial impact on the health care system. Medical professionals with different training backgrounds are responsible for performing this procedure, and therefore, comprehensive operator guidelines are crucial to improve the success rate of HD-CVC insertion and prevent complications. In this review article, we not only discuss the basic principles behind the use of HD-CVCs but also address frequently asked questions and myths regarding catheter asepsis, length selection, tip positioning, and flow rate assessment.

A retrospective comparison for prediction of optimal length of right subclavian vein catheterization in infants: landmark-based estimation vs. linear regression model

Background

The optimal insertion length for right subclavian vein catheterization in infants has not been determined. This study retrospectively compared landmark-based and linear regression model-based estimation of optimal insertion length for right subclavian vein catheterization in pediatric patients of corrected age < 1 year.

Methods

Fifty catheterizations of the right subclavian vein were analyzed. The landmark related distances were: from the needle insertion point (I) to the tip of the sternal head of the right clavicle (A) and from A to the midpoint (B) of the perpendicular line drawn from the sternal head of the right clavicle to the line connecting the nipples. The optimal length of insertion was retrospectively determined by reviewing post-procedural chest radiographs. Estimates using a landmark-based equation (IA + AB – intercept) and a linear regression model were compared with the optimal length of insertion.

Results

A landmark-based equation was determined as IA + AB – 5. The mean difference between the landmark-based estimate and the optimal insertion length was 1.0 mm (95% limits of agreement –18.2 to 20.3 mm). The mean difference between the linear regression model (26.681 – 4.014 × weight + 0.576 × IA + 0.537 × AB – 0.482 × postmenstrual age) and the optimal insertion length was 0 mm (95% limits of agreement –16.7 to 16.7 mm). The difference between the estimates using these two methods was not significant.

Conclusions

A simple landmark-based equation may be useful for estimating optimal insertion length in pediatric patients of corrected age < 1 year undergoing right subclavian vein catheterization.

[Central Venous Access in Children: Technique and Complications]

Children with complex diseases often need central venous catheter, not only for intraoperative use, but also for parenteral nutrition, multiple blood draw due to lab examination and to administer drugs that cannot be given via peripheral lines. Whereas the landmark driven vascular access was teached for years, nowadays the routine use of ultrasound based techniques can be called the gold standard. This article highlights standard locations for central venous access like cannulation of the internal jugular vein as well as novel alternatives such as the cannulation of the brachiocephalic vein. The correct insertion depth of central lines is essential to avoid serious complications. Several different formulas are available and can be used. Independent of the used formula, you have to make sure that complications due to incorrect depth of central venous line are a topic of the past. Finally, important tips and tricks to avoid failure and serious complications are discussed.

A new way to determine correct depth of central venous catheter insertion using a real-time ultrasound-guided insertion technique in pediatric patients

BACKGROUND

Several formulae or methods are reported to predict the ideal central venous catheter insertion depth. However, they are complicated and often unsuitable in cases requiring rapid management.

AIMS

This study aimed to determine a simple and practical method to predict the ideal central venous catheter insertion depth after the real-time ultrasound-guided right internal jugular vein, or left or right supraclavicular approach in pediatric patients.

METHOD

Pediatric patients with congenital heart diseases who underwent cardiovascular surgery between July 2015 and February 2018 in the German Pediatric Heart Center Sankt Augustin were enrolled. Body height, body weight, patient age (months), and central venous catheter insertion depth were retrieved from the anesthesia records. Ideal central venous catheter insertion depth was calculated by measuring the distance between the level of the carina tracheae and the  central venous catheter tip on the first postoperative chest radiograph. The relationships of body height, body weight, and patient age (months) to ideal central venous catheter insertion depth for the right internal jugular, left supraclavicular, and right supraclavicular approaches were investigated.

RESULTS

Body height was the best parameter, providing the best coefficients of determination as well as the simplest relationship. Based on analysis for ideal central venous catheter insertion depth for every 10-cm increase in body height, there was an ideal central venous catheter insertion depth for each body height, independent of the anesthesiologist's experience with the approach used. Whereas ideal central venous catheter insertion depths for the right internal jugular vein approach and the left supraclavicular approach showed no significant difference, ideal central venous catheter insertion depth for the right supraclavicular approach was significantly shorter than that of the other two approaches.

CONCLUSION

This study successfully determined a visually simple and practical bar graph to predict the ideal central venous catheter depth inserted using only the real-time ultrasound-guided insertion technique for the right internal jugular vein, left supraclavicular, and right supraclavicular approaches.

Simplified equation for determining proper depth of peripherally inserted central catheter in relation to anatomical landmarks

Background

The aim of this study was to develop a formula guiding the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) tip placement based on anatomical landmarks such as the upper arm, clavicle, and sternum as well as the patient’s height, weight, and body mass index.

Methods

Fifty-five patients who were scheduled to have PICCs were included in the study. We measured four distances along the passage of the PICC, which were as follows; the tip of the third finger to the middle of the elbow crease (Distance A), the middle of the elbow crease to the acromion process (Distance B), the acromion process to the sternal head of the clavicle (Distance C), and the sternal head of the clavicle to the end of the xiphoid process (Distance D). The lengths from the elbow creases to their carina bifurcations as determined by fluoroscopy during PICC insertions were recorded and used as reference.

Results

The formula for determining PICC depth based on the four distances was determined by regression analysis. The optimal formula was determined to be 25.3 + 0.5 × (Distance C) + 0.6 × (Distance D) which yielded an R² value of 0.3.

Conclusions

The formula proposed for proper depth of the adult, 25.0 + 0.5 × (clavicle length) + 0.6 × (sternum length) for PICC insertion can be used to place the tip at the carina bifurcation level. The distance from elbow crease to catheter insertion point should be added to the length generated by this formula.

Determination of the optimal depth of a left internal jugular venous catheter in infants: A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Few reports exist regarding the optimal depth of a left-sided central venous catheter in pediatric patients. We aimed to provide a guideline for the optimal depth of central venous catheters at the left internal jugular vein in infants, using anatomical landmarks, age, height, and weight.

METHODS

A two-stage study was conducted. In the first observational study, infants aged ≤1 year and scheduled for elective surgery requiring a central venous catheter were enrolled. The tip of the central venous catheter was confirmed using transthoracic echocardiography. Linear regression modeling was performed to determine the association between the insertion depth of the central venous catheter and the I-A-B distance (I, the insertion point; A, the sternal head of the left clavicle; B, the midpoint of the perpendicular line drawn between the sternal head of the right clavicle and an imaginary line between the nipples), based on age, height, and weight. In the second study, the results of the first study were validated in another group of consecutive infants.

RESULTS

In the first study, the data of 67 patients were analyzed. The infant's height and I-A-B distance were highly correlated with the level of the central venous catheter tip (R² =0.763 and 0.772, respectively; all P < .01), using the regression equations 0.11 ×  height (cm) + 0.19 and 1.02 ×  I-A-B (cm) + 1.55, respectively. In the second study, height was also highly correlated with the insertion depth of the central venous catheter in another 42 infants (r = .938, P = <.001). In a Bland-Altman's analysis, the mean bias and precision of the actual insertion depth and predicted depth using height were 0.09 and 0.15 cm, respectively. The limits of agreement were -0.19 and 0.38 cm, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In infants, the optimal depth of a central venous catheter at the left internal jugular vein can be determined with a simple formula using height.

[Avoidance of complications when dealing with central venous catheters in the treatment of children]

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are an important tool in the treatment of children. The insertion of a catheter may result in different complications depending of the type of catheter, the technique used for the insertion and the location. There are various techniques to reduce the risk of complications. In order to reduce the rate of complications of CVCs it is indispensable to perform a risk-benefit analysis for the individual patient before every insertion. The type of catheter used (for example tunneled catheters versus not-tunneled catheters) influences the rate of catheter-associated infections and the comfort of the patient significantly. The choice of the location is influenced by the expected indwelling time, the weight of the patient and the purpose of the CVC. Insertion via the vena jugularis interna is often chosen because of the reduced rate of complications during insertion. When the planned indwelling time of the catheter is longer or the child is fairly small the vena subclavia appears to be more appropriate. It is of utmost importance that the patient is positioned properly before insertion. Whenever possible the insertion should be performed with the help of ultrasound. The positioning of the catheter should be verified radiographically, possibly sonographically or with an ECG in order to avoid misplacement with potentially severe sequelae. The locally established hygienic guidelines should be strictly adhered to and everyone handling CVCs (doctors, nurses and patients) should have regular training.

Optimal insertion lengths of right and left internal jugular central venous catheters in children

BACKGROUND

Knowledge of the optimal lengths for central venous catheterization prior to the procedure may lessen the need for repositioning and prevent vascular complications.

OBJECTIVE

To establish the optimal lengths for non-tunneled central venous catheter insertion through the right and left internal jugular veins.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included 92 children who received US-guided central venous catheterization via right or left internal jugular veins in intensive care units. The calculated distance between the skin and carina was considered the optimal length for right and left internal jugular venous catheterization. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses was used to identify predictors.

RESULTS

Age, height and weight showed significant correlations with optimal insertion lengths for right and left internal jugular vein approaches on univariate analysis, while height was the only significant independent predictor of optimal insertion length.

CONCLUSION

The optimal insertion lengths (cm) suggested by our data are, for the right internal jugular vein 0.034 × height (cm) + 3.173, and for the left 0.072 × height (cm) + 2.113.