Two-dimensional echocardiography for catheter location and placement in infants and children.

This paper presents our experience with two-dimensional echocardiography in the detection of 61 intravascular catheters or wires in a series of 39 infants and children. It was possible to identify intravascular wires as small as 0.5 mm in diameter and intravascular catheters as small as 0.9 mm in diameter. In no instance, was an intravascular catheter not detected. The two-dimensional echocardiogram is demonstrated to be a tool to assist the physician in placement of intravascular catheters. In the catheterization laboratory, the two-dimensional echocardiogram is useful in determining catheter location, particularly in the presence of complex congenital defects. Two-dimensional echocardiographic guidance of catheters minimizes exposure to ionizing radiation.