The Practical Use of Transthoracic Echocardiography for Obtaining an Optimal Depth of Internal Jugular Venous Catheters in Infants

To test if transthoracic echocardiography is useful for correct positioning of central venous catheters in infants with congenital heart disease

Patients scheduled for surgery for congenital heart disease younger than 12 months were studied. Following successful catheter insertion, the insertion depth was determined using transthoracic echocardiography. The long axis or short axis images were used.Chest X-ray images were taken postoperatively and distances from the tip to the carina level were measured.

Inclusion Criteria:

• scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia

Exclusion Criteria:

• anomaly of the internal jugular vein
• thrombus in the internal jugular vein