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PROPER LOCATION OF UMBILICAL VENOUS CATHETERS BY INTERNAL ELECTROCARDIOSCOPY
Author(s) -
NODARI SANDRO,
AGOSTINO ROCCO,
BUCCI GIOVANNI
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1973.tb08142.x
Subject(s) - medicine , catheter , inferior vena cava , diaphragm (acoustics) , right atrium , superior vena cava , surgery , acoustics , physics , loudspeaker
Summary A method is described which facilitates the location of the tip of an umbilical venous catheter in the inferior vena cava near the right atrium by means of internal e!ectrocardio‐scopy using standard umbilical catheters and cardiomonitoring equipment. Entering the atria was chiefly indicated by tall and peaked P waves. On withdrawal of the catheter, small and peaked P waves were elicited at a radiological position of the catheter tip between 0.5 cm above and 1.0 cm below the diaphragm, presumably corresponding to the inferior vena cava near the atrial inlet. The latter location was obtained in 38 (67%) out of 57 newborns undergoing the procedure. The present method is simple and accurate, and it is considered superior to methods used so far for the same purpose. The need for safety precautions against electrical hazards has been stressed.