Percutaneous cardiac catheterization via the internal jugular vein in infants and children.

Cardiac catheterization was performed via the internal jugular vein in 14 pediatric patients using a percutaneous sheath technique. Patients were 2 months to 16 years old and weighed 3.2-69 kg. We found that a low lateral approach for puncture of the vein was faster and more often successful than the high approach most often utilized in adult patients. No complications occurred in this series of patients. The internal jugular vein is a safe and reliable alternative to the femoral vein for cardiac catheterization if there is obstruction to the inferior vena cava or if it is desirable to leave an indwelling cardiac catheter.