The positioning of the catheter tip with an intracavitary electrocardiogram in epicutaneo–caval catheter placement via lower limbs in newborns: A retrospective study

Abstract

Objective: Few studies have been conducted on whether catheterisation via the lower limb pathway is suitable for intracavitary electrocardiogram (ECG) technology. This study explored the positioning of the epicutaneo–caval catheter (ECC) tip with intracavitary ECG via the lower limbs in newborns to determine its optimal placement and to improve the success rate of ECC placement using this method. Methods: Twenty-eight cases were selected for the observation group. The tip location with intracavitary ECG method was used to observe the changes in specific atrial depolarisation (P-wave) during the catheterisation process to determine whether the catheter tip was in the correct position. For comparative observation, chest X-rays and abdominal radiographs were taken within 24 h to determine sensitivity and specificity. The control group included 28 cases where the ECCs were inserted via the lower limbs, and chest X-rays and abdominal radiographs were taken within 24 h after the line was placed to confirm the correct positioning. Results: The success rate of the observation group was 91.30% (there were two cases of primary malposition), and the success rate of the control group was 78.57% (there were six cases of primary malposition). The success rate of the observation group was higher compared with the control group. Conclusion: The tip location with intracavitary ECG method improved the success rate of ECC placement via the lower limbs in neonates. This method can effectively prevent the occurrence of lower limb primary catheter malposition and has significant clinical application value.