Epicutaneo-Cava Catheters

Central venous access devices are often required in neonates, particularly in preterm babies or in newborns who are candidate to intensive care procedures, surgery, or parenteral nutrition. A venous access device is ‘central’ when its tip is located in the superior vena cava (SVC) or in the right atrium (RA) or in the inferior vena cava (IVC). According to the terminology adopted by the WoCoVA Foundation (WoCoVA = World Congress on Vascular Access), central venous access devices in neonates should be classified as follows: • Umbilical venous catheter (UVC)—inserted in the umbilical vein, tip at the junction between RA and IVC. • Epicutaneo-cava catheters (ECC)—inserted in superficial veins of the limb or the scalp, tip in the SVC or at the junction between RA and SVC • Centrally Inserted Central Catheters (CICC)—inserted by ultrasound guidance in deep veins of the supra/infraclavicular area, tip at the junction between RA and SVC • Femorally Inserted Central Catheters (FICC)—inserted by ultrasound guidance in deep veins of the groin and the thigh, tip in the IVC or at the junction between RA and SVC.