Right-heart catheterization using antecubital venous access in patients with complex congenital heart defects and Glenn anastomosis.

OBJECTIVE: Right-heart catheterization using the antecubital veins has recently regained attention, and studies demonstrating the feasibility and safety of antecubital access in adults have been published. However, no changes have been observed in the preferred entrance sites in right-heart catheterizations in children with congenital heart diseases. This article is a description of the technique and features of the antecubital venous approach in pediatric patients with complex congenital heart defects and a Glenn anastomosis.

METHODS: The data regarding a right cardiac catheterization through the antecubital fossa veins performed in 18 patients with various clinical indications between January 2014 and August 2017 were reviewed retrospectively and the results were assessed.

RESULTS: Ten patients (55%) were male and 8 patients were female. All of the patients but 1 had a complex congenital heart disease with a Glenn anastomosis. One patient had been operated on for a sinus venosus atrial septal defect and an abnormal pulmonary venous return and had a total occlusion of the superior vena cava. A diagnostic catheterization was performed in all cases. Additional procedures consisted of a balloon test occlusion of the pulmonary valve in 2 patients, a superior vena cava-right pulmonary artery anastomosis dilatation in 1, and abnormal veno-venous collateral occlusion with various devices in 2 patients.

CONCLUSION: The antecubital venous approach technique can be performed easily and safely for diagnostic and therapeutic catheterization in patients with complex congenital heart defects. The authors advocate that the antecubital venous approach should be the first site selected for right-heart catheterization, especially in patients with a Glenn anastomosis.