A randomized trial of the Vein Viewer versus standard technique for placement of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in neonates

Objective:peripherally inserted central catheters are important but can be difficult to place in neonates. therefore, we compared a near-infrared device, the vein viewer, to determine if its use would increase successful line placement, with standard techniques.study design:randomized controlled trial in preterm and term neonates in a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit.result:in all, 115 subjects were enrolled with 59 randomized to the vein viewer group and 56 to the control group. overall, use of the vein viewer showed a trend to more successful placement 86 versus 75%; unadjusted odds ratio 2.33 (0.90, 6.04; p=0.08). infants randomized to the vein viewer were more mature (30±2 weeks gestational age (ga) versus 28±2 weeks ga; p=0.08). after adjusting for ga, use of the vein viewer was significantly more likely to lead to successful line placement (adjusted odds ratio 3.05 (1.10, 1.82)).conclusion:the vein viewer improved successful placement with the most benefit seen in infants of greater ga.