Objective: To compare a new combined central venous catheter for monitoring left atrial pressure with a single-lumen catheter in pediatric cardiac patients. The combined catheter is made of a 5-Fr triple-lumen catheter and a longer microtube inserted within.
Method: 40 cases were observed following complex congenital heart defect repair. After anesthetic induction the combined catheter and single-lumen catheter were placed into right atrium in the same patient through jugular vein. The distal ends of the microtube and of the single-lumen catheter were repositioned transseptally and advanced into the left atrium after the repair of intracardiac defect. The ease of catheter placement and pressure measured by both were compared.
Results: Left atrial pressure measured by microtube and by single-lumen catheter were closly related. Both microtube insertion and blood sampling were quite easy. No mortality or catheter-related complication were observed.
Conclusion: Microtube inserted within the combined central venous catheter might be an alternative to single-lumen catheter for monitoring left atrial pressure and drug administration to left atrium. Catheterization time and costs might also be reduced.