Umbilical Venous Catheters (UVCs) - Pediatric Radiology and NICU

Pediatric Radiology
Umbilical Venous Catheters

Audience: Medical Students, Interns, Pediatricians, and Radiology Residents

Learning Objectives:
Recognize the ideal location and suboptimal locations for the tip of an umbilical venous catheter in infants
Describe the common complications that can arise from an umbilical venous catheter

Why a UVC?
Prematurity – vascular access
Feeding problems – TPN
Caustic medications
Transfusions

Complications:
Too Deep
Perforate right atrium
Pass through patent foramen ovale
Left or right portal vein
Vascular injury – hepatic hematoma
Hepatic Infarction
TPNoma, or other fluid collection
Short
Thrombophelbitis
Hepatic Infarction

Summary:
Umbilical venous catheters should be positioned at the inferior cavoatrial junction
Deep catheters risk cardiac injury
Left or right portal vein, or short catheters risk hepatic injury