Percutaneous cardiac catheterization via the internal jugular vein in infants and children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric cardiology
• Vascular access techniques

Background:

• Cardiac catheterization is a vital diagnostic and therapeutic tool in pediatric cardiology.
• Traditional femoral vein access can be challenging or contraindicated in certain pediatric cases, such as inferior vena cava obstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of internal jugular vein access for pediatric cardiac catheterization.
• To compare the low lateral puncture technique with the high approach for internal jugular vein cannulation in children.

Main Methods:

• Percutaneous sheath technique for internal jugular vein cannulation was used in 14 pediatric patients.
• Patient age ranged from 2 months to 16 years, with weights from 3.2 to 69 kg.
• Comparison of low lateral versus high puncture approaches for vein access.

Main Results:

• The low lateral approach for internal jugular vein puncture was faster and more successful than the high approach.
• No procedural complications were observed in any of the pediatric patients.
• Successful cardiac catheterization was achieved in all participants.

Conclusions:

• Internal jugular vein access is a safe and reliable alternative for pediatric cardiac catheterization.
• The low lateral puncture technique offers advantages in speed and success rate for this patient population.
• This approach is particularly useful when femoral access is compromised or indwelling catheters are required.