Experience with percutaneous indwelling peripheral arterial catheterization in neonates
S. N. Randel, B. H. Tsang, J. T. Wung, J. M. Driscoll Jr and L. S. James
We present an experience with indwelling peripheral arterial catheters in
preterm and term neonates. During a 12-month interval, 158 peripheral
arterial lines were inserted in 115 infants. Eighty-eight infants required
a single line while 27 infants required more than one line. Ninety-one
catheters (57.6%) were electively removed, and 67 (42.4%) had to be
discontinued prematurely. Vessels used included 110 radial arteries
(69.6%), 27 posterior tibial arteries (17.1%), and 21 temporal arteries
(13.3%). There were only two major complications (1.27%), both related to
infections. The technique is described in detail. In our experience, with
appropriate precaution, peripheral arterial cannulation has been a safe and
reliable alternative to umbilical arterial catheterization.
