Epicutaneo-caval catheters in neonates: New insights and new suggestions from the recent literature

Abstract

Epicutaneo-caval catheters have been widely used in neonatal intensive care units since Shaw has described them in 1973. These central venous access devices are usually placed at bedside and they have the purpose of delivering parenteral nutrition and/or drugs that are not compatible with the peripheral route. Even though in the last decade there was a fast advancement in the world of vascular access devices, such changes have only marginally affected the field of neonatal venous access. The aim of this editorial is to give 10 recommendations that correspond to 10 novelties in the field of epicutaneo-caval catheter: some are already evidence-based and should be introduced in our daily practice now, while others are particularly interesting and deserve further clinical studies.