Ultrasound-guided percutaneous central venous access in a neonatal porcine model

Percutaneous catheterization is currently utilized for central venous access in adult and adolescent porcine models; however, neonatal models require a cut down to gain venous access. This approach requires general anesthesia and can result in systemic inflammation, which can confound studies investigating other inflammatory triggers. Here we present the first successful series of percutaneous, ultrasound-guided, durable central venous access in newborn piglets weighing 1 kg with a novel method of tunneling the catheter subcutaneously using a needle. Catheters (3-5 Fr, single- or double-lumen) were successfully placed in the right jugular vein of eight piglets weighing 1.3 ± 0.4 kg (mean ± standard deviation) with an average duration of catheter patency of 4.5 ± 2.1 days. There were no adverse events from catheter placement, though one catheter was inadvertently removed. This technique is a safe, minimally invasive method for obtaining secure central venous access in a neonatal porcine model.