Related Experiment Videos
Measurements of central blood vessels in infants and children: normal values
C Steinberg1, D J Weinstock, J P Gold
1New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, New York, NY.
Insights
This study provides crucial normal size data for central blood vessels in children, essential for interpreting vascular studies and designing pediatric intravascular devices. Vessel dimensions correlate with age, height, weight, and body surface area.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Vascular Anatomy
- Medical Device Design
Background:
- Interpreting pediatric vascular radiographic studies requires normative data.
- Pediatric intravascular device development needs accurate vessel size information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normal dimensions (length and diameter) of central blood vessels in children.
- To aid physicians in interpreting vascular studies and guide pediatric device design.
Main Methods:
- Measured diameters of internal jugular veins, common carotid arteries, inferior vena cava, descending thoracic aorta, iliac veins, and femoral veins/arteries.
- Determined lengths of the inferior vena cava and descending aorta.
- Analyzed data from 141 radiographic studies of 136 children.
Main Results:
- Blood vessel dimensions showed strong correlations with age, height, weight, and body surface area.
- Provided linear regression equations for vessel dimensions against key anthropometric factors.
- Generated a table of predicted vessel sizes based on age.
Conclusions:
- Established age- and size-dependent normative data for pediatric central blood vessels.
- Findings support improved interpretation of pediatric vascular imaging.
- Facilitates the development and adaptation of intravascular devices for pediatric use.
Abstract:
In order to provide physicians interpreting vascular radiographic studies with normal data regarding central blood vessel size in children and to facilitate the design and adaptation of intravascular devices for pediatric use, we measured lengths and diameters of central blood vessels in 141 radiographic studies in 136 children. The diameters of the following vessels were determined: right and left internal jugular veins and common carotid arteries; the inferior vena cava and the descending thoracic aorta; right and left iliac veins; and right and left femoral veins and arteries. In addition, the lengths of the inferior vena cava and the descending aorta were also determined. Blood vessel dimensions were highly correlated with age, height, weight, and body surface area. The linear regression equations for each measured dimension against age, weight, height, and surface area are provided, along with a table of predicted vessel size as a function of age.