Ultrasound-guided cannulation of the brachiocephalic vein in newborns: A novel approach with a supraclavicular view for tip navigation and tip location.

PURPOSE

Central vascular catheters (CVCs) are frequently used in newborns in NICU. Ultrasound (US) guided supraclavicular venipuncture of the brachiocephalic vein (BCV) is usually performed with a 12 MHz linear probe and then a catheter tip location is verified with an 8 MHz micro-convex probe or intracavitary ECG (IC-ECG). We explored the feasibility of an US guided puncture using a 7 MHz sector probe, positioned on the clavicular sternal joint. We also explored the opportunity of performing it with a probe tilting tip navigation and tip location.

DESIGN

This is a monocentric retrospective observational study made in the neonatal intensive care unit L. Vanvitelli University Hospital of Naples, Italy.

PATIENTS

Forty newborns in NICU scheduled for an ultrasound guided CVC.

INTERVENTIONS

US guided brachiocephalic vein catheterization. We used A long axis in plane supraclavicular approach to the BCV for real time puncture, for tip navigation and tip location, using a 7 MHz sector transducer. We executed an ultrasound pre-scan of the Y-shape (right and left BCV, superior vena cava (SVC)) and of the right pulmonary artery (RPA), and then we performed a guided sterile puncture on middle third of supraclavicular fossa next to clavicular sternal joint with a 7 MHz. We used the same probe for tip navigation by this supraclavicular short axis of ascending aorta view. Tip location was confirmed with the ultrasound and IC-ECG.

RESULTS

In all infants the ultrasound tip navigation and tip location were successful and were confirmed by IC-ECG. No misplacement, arterial puncture or pneumothorax occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The supraclavicular view performed with a 7 MHz sector probe has proved to be completely safe and to be a method with 100% feasibility.