umbilical vein catheter

umbilical vein catheter

Neonatology A support line for drawing and administering fluids which is placed in an infant in the first few hrs of life and can be left in place for up to 14 days with few complications Indications Resuscitation–eg, epinephrine, vasoactive agents, hypertonic fluids, parenteral nutrition, blood and blood products, exchange transfusion, measurement of central venous pressure Contraindications Omphalitis, omphalocele, necrotizing enterocolitis, peritonitis Complications Sepsis–occurs in up to 16%, air embolism, thrombosis, catheter malposition, causing pericardial effusion or tamponade, arrhythmia, hydrothorax, liver necrosis, portal vein thrombosis, extravasation into the liver, sepsis. See Umbilical artery catheter.