Optimal Insertion Length of a Central Venous Catheter in a Pediatric Patient

Description

Andropoulos et al identified the optimum length to insert a central venous catheter in pediatric patients. The length can be estimated based on either height or weight. The authors are from Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Based on Height in Centimeters

initial length of insertion in cm for children < 100 cm in height =

= ((height in cm) / 10) - 1

initial length of insertion in cm for children >= 100 cm in height =

= ((height in cm) / 10) - 2

Based on Body Weight in Kilograms

Body Weight in Kg	Length of Catheter Insertion in cm
2 – 2.9	4
3 – 4.9	5
5 – 6.9	6
7 – 9.9	7
10 – 12.9	8
13 – 19.9	9
20 – 29.9	10
30 – 39.9	11
40 - 49.9	12
50 – 59.9	13
60 – 69.9	14
70 – 79.9	15
>= 80	16

Performance:

• The height equations gave a length that was above the right atrium 97% of the time.

• The weight table gave a length that was above the right atrium 98% of the time.

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Description

Specialty

ICD-10