Ultrasound-Guided Umbilical Venous Catheter Insertion to Reduce Rate of Catheter Tip Malposition in Neonates: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Objective To investigate whether ultrasound-guided umbilical venous catheter (UVC) insertion (US group) reduced the rate of malpositioning of the catheter tip compared to the standard method of insertion (SD group). Methods In this open-label, randomized, controlled trial, neonates admitted to NICU within the first week of life were randomly assigned to the US group (n = 26) or SD group (n = 27). Neonates with major congenital anomalies of the thorax and abdomen were excluded. The primary outcome was the rate of malpositioning of the catheter tip. Results The rate of malpositioning of the catheter tip was observed in a significantly lower number of neonates in the US group as compared to the SD group (11/26, 42.3% vs. 20/27, 74%; RR= 0.57, 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.94, p =0.019). As more of the UVCs were positioned optimally in the first attempt in the US group than SD group, the need for repeated attempts at catheter repositioning was reduced, resulting in reduced procedure time (minutes) [mean (SD), 23.96 (6.42) vs. 30 (1.83); mean difference 6.04 (95% CI: 3.46 to 8.62), p = 0.005]. This also led to a reduction in the additional X-ray exposure in the US group (n = 11) compared to the SD group (n = 20) [95% CI: 3.12 to 44.26; p = 0.020]. Conclusion Ultrasound-guided UVC insertion significantly reduced the rate of catheter tip malposition. It also reduced the number of attempts at catheter manipulation, procedure time, and X-ray exposures. With adequate training, it could be incorporated into routine bedside practice during UVC insertion for optimum placement.

Automated summary

This study found that ultrasound-guided umbilical venous catheter insertion significantly reduced the rate of catheter tip malposition. It also decreased the number of attempts at catheter manipulation, procedure time, and X-ray exposures.