UMBILICAL ARTERY CATHETERIZATION IN NEWBORNS: IV. Strain-Gauge Plethysmography for the Diagnosis of Catheter-Related Thrombo-Embolism in the Legs

Abstract. Wesström, G. and Lassvik, C. (Departments of Paediatrics and Clinical Physiology, University Hospital, Linkoping, Sweden). Umbilical artery catheterization in newborns. IV. Strain-gauge plethysmography for the diagnosis of catheter-related thromboembolism in the legs. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69:365, 1980.—Strain-gauge plethysmography was performed shortly after withdrawal of the catheter in 48 of 49 newborn infants who had undergone umbilical artery catheterization. Plethysmography was used to find a non-invasive method for diagnosing catheter-related thrombo-embolism in neonates. The results were compared with the findings at angiography. The method permits simultaneous measurements of the systolic blood pressure and of the resting and submaximal blood flow in both legs. Nine infants showed angiographic signs of total or partial occlusion in one leg, and 8 of them were investigated with plethysmography. The systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced in infants with total and/or partial occlusion, but the blood flow was reduced only in infants with total occlusion. The peak now after suprasystolic occlusion was significantly oftener delayed in infants with thrombo-embolism in the leg.