Vascular access modalities in a pediatric intensive care unit in tertiary hospital indications and outcomes: a single-center cross-sectional study

Vascular access is a mainstay of pediatric critical care. The selection of the route of access and equipment used will depend on patient- and provider-specific factors, which constantly need revision to achieve more effective assessment and management. To evaluate the use, indication, and outcome of different vascular access modalities in critically ill children in the Emergency Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ER-PICU) of a tertiary university hospital. This cross-sectional descriptive study was based on data collected by reviewing all modes of vascular access used for 168 consecutive patients admitted to ER-PICU during a 6-month period from May to October 2020. Among the study group (n = 168), there were 92 males (54.8%) and 76 females (45.2%). The median age of cases was 18 months. 333 vascular access devices were observed: 219 peripheral (65.8%) and 114 central catheters (34.2%). Catheters lasted a total of 1920 catheter days. Central venous catheters lasted significantly more than peripheral lines (P < 0.001); median of 8.5 and 3 days, respectively. The incidence of peripheral line complications (35.2%) was found significantly higher compared to central venous catheters (22.8%) (P. = 0.021). Longer dwell time of central access was associated with a higher incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection. The incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection was 9.05 per 1000 catheter days. Mortality rate was 24.4%. Despite having lower incidence of complications than peripheral lines, central venous catheters’ complications are considered more serious. Dwell time of central venous catheters (CVC) should be revised daily to avoid the occurrence of infection.