Abstract:
Background: The natural history of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is a chronic deterioration of lung function with intermittent episodes of pulmonary infectious exacerbations (PExs). Reliable venous access is a milestone of effective management of such exacerbations, managed both in hospital and outpatient chronic therapy. The aim of our study was to analyse the feasibility of ultrasound-guided positioning of Long Peripheral Catheters (LPC) as reliable mid-term venous access in children affected by CF.
Methods: In this single-centre prospective study, over a 60-month period, we included paediatric CF subjects admitted with pulmonary infectious exacerbations and undergoing intravenous antibiotic treatment. LPCs were inserted in all participants by paediatric anaesthesiologists with ultrasound guide technique. Prospective data were collected assessing catheter positioning procedure and complications.
Results: A total of 122 LPC insertions were performed in 55 CF children. Participants had a median age of 6,75 years (IQR 3,7-13,5) at the time of catheter insertion. Implantation was successful on the first attempt in 86% of cases; 2 (1%) major insertion-related complications were reported. 88% of catheters were electively removed at the end of antibiotic therapy without any complication. 7% of the catheters were removed electively for occlusion and 2% for local dislodgment.
Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that ultrasound-guided positioning of LPCs are safe alternative means of peripheral venous access in children with chronic diseases such as CF.
Reference:Massimiliano G, David B, Crimi C, Amelia A, Benedetto F, Lucanto C, Natoli R, Messina R, Antonio D, Alberto N. Ultrasound-guided placement of Long Peripheral Cannula in children with Cystic Fibrosis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2022 May 16. doi: 10.1002/ppul.25978. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35574730.