Scott Andrew Jorgensen MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Lavi Nissim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Robin Diane Kaye MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Carrie M. Schaefer MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sharad Menon MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Richard Bruce Towbin MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To show that the femoral vein is a satisfactory site for alternative central venous access. We place tunneled femoral catheters in congenital cardiac patients to preserve venous structures in the neck and chest for future cardiac surgery. Femoral catheters are also used when alternative central access is needed. There are few published studies in the pediatric radiology literature evaluating femoral venous catheters.

Retrospective chart review performed at a tertiary pediatric medical center. The charts of 71 patients who received femoral central venous catheters between 2008 - 2010 were reviewed. 87 catheters were placed in the 71 patients. 82 of these catheters were tunneled, 5 were non-tunneled. The patient age range was 1 day - 19.5 years (mean age 24 months, median age 5 months). 24 patients had congenital cardiac disease, 47 had non-cardiac related illnesses. Each patient's case was evaluated for procedural and long-term complications.

Two procedural complications occurred. 1 catheter was placed in the femoral artery. 1 catheter was pulled out inadvertently at the end of the procedure. Two types of long-term complications occured, catheter infection and catheter occlusion. 5 catheters tested positive for bacterial infection between 11 - 25 days after placement. The infection rate for this series of patients is 6%. The overall infection rate at our institution was similar during the same time period (2008  - 2010). 1 catheter occluded 6 days after placement.  

Our catheter complication rate is similar to other published data. Therefore, tunneled femoral catheters are a good choice for congenital cardiac patients because the venous structures in the neck and chest are spared potential complications associated with catheter placement. Tunneled femoral catheters are also a good alternative for non-ambulatory patients and when other vessels are not available for use due to indwelling lines or vessel occlusion.

Tunneled femoral venous catheters can preserve venous structures in the neck and chest for future cardiac surgery in congenital cardiac patients.

Jorgensen, S, Nissim, L, Kaye, R, Schaefer, C, Menon, S, Towbin, R, Tunneled Femoral Central Venous Catheters for Intermediate Term Venous Access in Pediatric Patients.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11011747.html