Performing Central Venous Catheters in Neonates and Small Infants Undergoing Cardiac Surgery Using a Wireless Transducer for Ultrasound Guidance: a Prospective, Observational Pilot Study

Background: Neonates and small infants with congenital cardiac disease undergoing cardiac surgery represent major challenges facing pediatric anesthesia and perioperative medicine. Aims: We here aimed to investigate the success rates in performing ultrasound guided central venous catheter insertion (CVC) in neonates and small infants undergoing cardiac surgery, and to evaluate the practicability and feasibility of thereby using a novel wireless ultrasound transducer (WUST).

Methods: Thirty neonates and small infants with a maximum body weight of 10 kg and need for CVC before cardiac surgery were included in this observational trial and were subdivided into two groups according to their weight: < 5 kg and ≥5 kg. Cannulation success, failure rate, essential procedure related time periods, and complications were recorded and the clinical utility of the WUST was assessed by a 5-point Likert scale.