Cardiac catheterization in small infants: the percutaneous approach.

Cardiac catheterization of small infants can be performed by the percutaneous technique using materials readily available from commercial sources. Twenty infants averaging 3.0 kg (range 1.3 to 4.1 kg) underwent percutaneous sheath cardiac catheterization in a 12 month period. After refinement of the technique, cardiac catheterization in all small infants was attempted percutaneously with a 90 percent rate of success. This percutaneous approach has distinct advantages for the small infant because it is performed rapidly, preserves venous integrity and has a low rate of morbidity.