Successful placement of a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) on the first attempt is an important outcome for difficult vascular access (DVA) patients. This study compared standard technique, ultrasonography (USG), and near-infrared light (NIR) in terms of success in the first attempt in patients with DVA.

This was a prospective, randomized controlled study. The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Emergency department patients who describe DVA history, have no visible or palpable veins, and were assessed by the nurse to have a difficult PIVC were included to study. The PIVC procedure was performed on patients by standard, USG, or NIR device techniques. For all approaches, the success of the first attempt was the primary aim. Total procedure time, the total number of attempts, and the need for rescue intervention were secondary aims.

This study evaluated 270 patients. The first attempt success rates for USG, standard, and NIR methods were 78.9%, 62.2%, and 58.9%, respectively. The rate of first attempt success was higher in patients who underwent USG (USG versus standard, P = .014; USG versus NIR, P = .004; standard versus NIR, P = .648). The total median (IQR) procedure time for USG, standard, and NIR methods was 107 (69-228), 72 (47-134), and 82 (61-163) seconds, respectively. The total procedure time was longer in patients undergoing USG (standard versus USG, P <.001; NIR versus USG, P = .035; standard versus NIR, P = .055). The total median (IQR) number of attempts of USG, standard, and NIR methods were 1 (1-1), 1 (1-2), and 1 (1-2), respectively. A difference was found among the groups regarding the total number of attempts (USG versus NIR, P = .015; USG versus standard P = .108; standard versus NIR, P = .307). No difference was found among groups in terms of the need for rescue methods.

It was found that USG increases the success of the first attempt compared with the standard method and NIR in patients with DVA.

Interstage mortality causes are often unknown in infants with shunt-dependent univentricular defects. For 2 years, screening catheterisation was encouraged before neonatal discharge to determine if routine evaluation improved interstage outcomes.

Retrospective single-centre review of home monitoring programme from December, 2010 to June, 2012. Composite scores were created for physical examination/echocardiography risk factors; catheterisation risk factors; and interstage adverse events. Composite scores were compared between usual care and screening catheterisation groups. The ability of each risk factor composite to predict interstage adverse events, individually and in combination, was assessed with sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic curves.

There were 27 usual care and 32 screening catheterisation patients. There were no significant differences between groups except rates of catheterisation before discharge (29.6 versus 100%, p < 0.001). Usual care patients who underwent catheterisation for clinical indications had higher intervention rates (37.5 versus 3.1%, p = 0.004). Physical examination/echocardiography risk factor frequency was similar, but usual care patients with catheterisation had a higher catheterisation risk factor frequency. Interstage adverse event frequency was similar (48.2 versus 53.1%, p = 0.7). For interstage adverse event prediction, sensitivity for the physical examination/echocardiography, catheterisation, and either risk factor composites was 53.3, 72, and 80%, respectively; specificity was 59, 60, and 48%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.56, 0.66, and 0.64.

Screening catheterisation evaluation offered slightly increased sensitivity and specificity, but no difference in interstage adverse event frequency. Given this small advantage versus known risks, screening catheterisations are no longer encouraged.

Complications at the vascular access sites are among the most common adverse events in congenital cardiac catheterization. The use of small-gauge catheters may reduce these events; however, other factors can contribute to the development of vascular complications.

To determine factors associated with the development of vascular access complications in children undergoing congenital cardiac catheterization.

We performed a prospective study of 403 patients who underwent diagnostic (62.5%) or interventional (37.5%) cardiac catheterization over a period of 6 months, and analysed the vascular complications during and immediately after the procedure.

The most common access-related adverse event was transient loss of pulsation (17.6%). Other less common access-related adverse events included subcutaneous haematoma (2%), bleeding (3%), vessel tear (0.2%), and vein thrombosis (0.2%). Patients who had no access-related adverse events had significantly higher age and body weight compared with those who had one or more access problems. Among 81 patients who had vascular access established in unplanned access sites, 30 patients (37%) had lost pulsations. Among the 322 patients who had vascular access established in planned access sites, however, only 41 patients had lost pulsation (13%). In addition, patients who had lost pulsations had significantly longer puncture time compared to those who had normal pulsations (p value 0.01).

Factors other than sheath size can contribute to access-related adverse events in children undergoing cardiac catheterization. Obtaining vascular access in unplanned access sites and longer puncture times increases the incidence of lost pulsations after catheterization. Younger age and smaller body weight are also associated with significant increase in access-related adverse events.

To report our experience with balloon dilation of critical aortic valvar stenosis in neonates via the umbilical artery using currently available catheters.

There is no agreement regarding the optimal vascular approach for balloon dilation of critical aortic valvar stenosis in neonates.

Since June of 2005, we have attempted to obtain umbilical arterial access within the first week after birth in all neonates with critical aortic valvar stenosis. In patients in whom umbilical artery access was obtained, we proceeded with an attempt at balloon dilation.

We were presented with 5 patients with critical aortic valvar stenosis within the first week after birth, and the umbilical arterial approach was obtained in all, with effective relief of the stenosis achieved in 4.

The umbilical arterial approach should always be considered for balloon dilation of neonatal critical aortic valvar stenosis. Using currently available catheters, the procedure is safe, simple, and effective even in patients weighing less than 2.5 kilograms. Further experience using this approach is warranted.

One of the most common uses of stents in patients with congenitally malformed hearts is treatment of pulmonary arterial stenosis. Although there are reports of fractured pulmonary arterial stents, little is known about the risk factors for, and implications of, such fractures.

We reviewed angiograms to identify fractures in stents previously inserted to relieve stenoses in pulmonary arteries from 1990 through 2001 in patients who also underwent follow-up catheterization at least 3 years after placement of the stent. We undertook matched cohort analysis, matching a ratio of 2 fractured to 1 unfractured stent.

Overall, 166 stents meeting the criterions of our study had been placed in 120 patients. We identified fractures in 35 stents (21%) in 29 patients. All fractured stents were in the central pulmonary arteries, 24 (69%) in the central part of the right pulmonary artery, and all were complete axial fractures, or complex fractures along at least 2 planes. Stent-related factors associated with increased risk of fracture identified by multivariable logistic regression included placement in close apposition to the ascending aorta (p = 0.001), and a larger expanded diameter (p = 0.002). There was obstruction across 28 of 35 fractured stents, which was severe in 11. We re-stented 21 of the fractured stents, and recurrent fracture was later diagnosed in 3 of these. A fragment of the fractured stent embolized distally in 2 patients, without clinically important effects.

In situ fracture of pulmonary arterial stents is relatively common, and in most cases is related to compression by the aorta. There is usually recurrent obstruction across the fractured stent, but fractured stents rarely embolize, and are not associated with other significant complications.

Percutaneous, transtracheal jet ventilation (percutaneous transtracheal jet ventilation) is an effective way to ventilate both adults and children. However, some authors suggest that a resuscitation bag can be utilized to ventilate through a cannula placed into the trachea.

Percutaneous transtracheal ventilation (percutaneous transtracheal ventilation) through a 14-gauge catheter is ineffective when attempted using a resuscitation bag.

Eight insufflation methods were studied. A 14-gauge intravenous catheter was attached to an adult resuscitation bag, a pediatric resuscitation bag, wall-source (wall) oxygen, portable-tank oxygen with a regulator, and a jet ventilator (JV) at two flow rates. The resuscitation bags were connected to the 14-gauge catheter using a 7 mm adult endotracheal tube adaptor connected to a 3 cc syringe barrel. The wall and tank oxygen were connected to he 14-gauge catheter using a three-way stopcock. The wall oxygen was tested with the regulator set at 15 liters per minute (LPM) and with the regulator wide open. The tank was tested with the regulator set at 15 and 25 LPM. The JV was connected directly to the 14-gauge catheter using JV tubing supplied by the manufacturer. Flow was measured using an Ohmeda 5420 Volume Monitor. A total of 30 measurements were taken, each during four seconds of insufflation, and the results averaged (milliliters (ml) per second (sec)) for each device.

Flow rates obtained using both resuscitation bags, tank oxygen, and regulated wall oxygen were extremely low (adult 215 ±20 ml/sec; pediatric 195 ±19 ml/sec; tank 358 ±13 ml/sec; wall at 15 l/min 346 ±20 ml/sec). Flow rates of 1,394 ±13 ml were obtained using wall oxygen with the regulator wide open. Using the JV with the regulator set at 50 pounds per square inch (psi), a flow rate of 1,759 ±40 was obtained.These were the only two methods that produced flow rates high enough to provide an adequate tidal volume to an adult.

Resuscitation bags should not be used to ventilate adult patients through a 14-gauge, transtracheal catheter. Jet ventilation is needed when percutaneous transtracheal ventilation is attempted. If jet ventilation is attempted using oxygen supply tubing, it must be connected to an unregulated oxygen source of at least 50 psi.