The Aortic Valve as a Landmark for Ultrasound Guided Umbilical Artery Catheter Placement

Objective Umbilical artery catheters (UAC) are common in the neonatal intensive care unit. Frequently, catheter locations are suboptimal. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is reliable and safe. The objective of this study was to determine if visualizing the aortic valve (AV) with POCUS could be a landmark for UAC positioning. Study Design This was a prospective, retrospective controlled study. The retrospective group included neonates with a UAC insertion depth calculated by (3×birth weight(kg) + 9). The experimental group used POCUS and identified the level of the AV for UAC placement. Results Each group had thirty neonates. The groups were similar in gestational age, p = 0.11 and median birth weight (p = 0.12). In the control group, 16 neonates (54%) required repositioning and between 2–6 X-Rays. None of the UACs in the experimental group needed repeat X-Rays (p < 0.001). Conclusion The AV location identified using POCUS can reduce the need for multiple XRs for UAC placement.