Abstract:
Central venous access devices are often needed in neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The location of the tip of the central catheter is usually assessed by post-procedural X-ray. However, this strategy is inaccurate and time consuming. Recent guidelines strongly recommend intra-procedural methods of tip location, to increase the cost-effectiveness of the maneuver and to shorten the time between device placement and utilization. In this regard, real-time ultrasound represents the most promising tool for tip navigation and location in neonates. The aim of this paper is (a) to review all the evidence available about ultrasound-based tip navigation and tip location of central catheters in the neonatal population (b) to propose a novel protocol for tip navigation and location (Neo-ECHOTIP) based on such evidence.
Barone G, Pittiruti M, Biasucci DG, Elisei D, Iacobone E, La Greca A, Zito Marinosci G, D’Andrea V. Neo-ECHOTIP: A structured protocol for ultrasound-based tip navigation and tip location during placement of central venous access devices in neonates. J Vasc Access. 2021 Apr 5:11297298211007703. doi: 10.1177/11297298211007703. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33818191.