Comparison of the ultrasound-guided supraclavicular and infraclavicular approaches for subclavian vein cannulation in children with congenital heart disease

Objective(s) Central venous catheterization (CVC) is widely used in pediatric critical patients. We thought to compare the success rate and safety of ultrasound-guided subclavian vein cannulation performed via infraclavicular and supraclavicular approaches. Design We compared the success rate of the first puncture and other information for cannulation in the children with congenital heart disease (CHD) requiring central venous catheterization who were randomly assigned to the supraclavicular approach group (Group A) or infraclavicular approach group (Group B). Setting Medical university hospital pediatric cardiac intensive care units (CICUs). Participants Pediatric patients diagnosed with CHD in the preoperative period who were admitted to the CICU and required subclavian vein catheterization. Interventions Ultrasound-guided subclavian vein cannulation. Measurements & Main Results Sixty-seven children were included in the study, with 32 in Group A and 35 in Group B. Notably, there was a significant difference in the success rate of the first puncture between Groups A and B (90.6% vs. 71.4, %, p = 0.047). Furthermore, the access time in Group A was 11.8 (3.2–95) seconds, which was significantly shorter than that in Group B (16.0 [6.5–227] seconds, p = 0.001). In addition, the catheter malposition rate in Group A was significantly lower than that in Group B (0% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.049). Conversely, there were no significant differences in the total access time, overall success rate, and complications (e.g., pneumothorax, hemorrhage, puncture artery, and nerve injury) between the two groups. Conclusions For children with congenital heart disease requiring central venous catheterization during the perioperative period, the subclavian vein is a feasible site for catheterization. The supraclavicular approach, especially the left side, has a higher first-puncture success rate, shorter access time, lower complications, and the trend of lower incidence of catheter malposition. However, a larger sample size of randomized controlled study is expected to verify the advantages of ultrasound-guided subclavian catheterization in children.