PEDIATRICS Vol. 53 No. 1 January 1974, pp. 109-110
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A Simple Method for Changing an Umbilical Artery Catheter

Michael A. Heymann M.D.1

1 Department of Pediatrics and Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143

Umbilical arterial catheterization has become common in the management of sick new-born infants. In addition, the umbilical artery is often used during diagnostic cardiac catheterization for retrograde arterial studies and for monitoring arterial blood pressure and blood gases during the procedure. Many infants with congenital heart disease referred for cardiac catheterization, already have an umbilical arterial catheter in place. The catheter tip may be placed in a variety of positions, usually in the lower aorta below the renal arteries, and cannot be advanced up the aorta as the portion of catheter outside the abdominal wall is not sterile. The catheter can simply be withdrawn and replaced by a new catheter using standard aseptic techniques.