The Role of Ultrasound in Epicutaneo-Caval Catheter Insertion in Neonates: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Future Perspectives

作者：V. D’Andrea, Valentina Cascini, Rosellina Russo, A. Perri, Giorgia Prontera, G. Ancora, Giovanni Vento, Gabriele Lisi, G. Barone · 发表于：Diagnostics · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.3390/diagnostics13172850 · 被引用次数：14 · 研究领域：Medicine

Chest and abdominal X-rays after the insertion of an epicutaneo-caval catheter in infants are the standard method of checking the tip location in many neonatal intensive care units. The role of ultrasound in the tip location of the epicutaneo-caval catheter in neonates has been the subject of many recent studies. This systematic review investigates the accuracy of epicutaneo-caval catheter tip location by comparing ultrasound and conventional radiology. We performed a systematic literature search in multiple databases. The selection of studies yielded nineteen articles. The systematic review and meta-analysis were performed according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis). The analyses showed that ultrasound is a better imaging technique for epicutaneo-caval catheter tip location in the neonatal intensive care unit than conventional radiology. By improving operator training and selecting a standardized echography protocol, ultrasound could become the gold standard for visualizing the epicutaneo-caval catheter tip in the neonatal intensive care unit. This would have some important benefits: (1) increased accuracy in tip location (2); a more rapid use of the central venous access (3); and a significant reduction in radiation exposure.