Central venous access in children (CME) – online course

Description

Authors: A. Barnacle and R. Gnannt

Reviewers: E. Kehagias, T. Kratimenos, C. Nice, T. Rand and P. Reimer

This course caters to specialist learners with advanced knowledge in IR.

Abstract

Central venous access (CVA) in children allows long term administration of transvenous therapies and blood sampling. The paediatric interventional radiologist has an important role in CVA, particularly in children who require recurrent or even life-long venous access. Repetitive venous access in children with very small vessels leads to an increased risk of infection, thrombosis, stenosis and occlusion, which can mean children have major limitations to their medical therapy options in the future. Relatively simple vascular access procedures can mean huge long-term benefits for children and their families. This course gives a practical overview of which venous access devices are best suited for small children and what devices are possible in babies. Small children have very different physiology to adults. The key factors are explained so operators can optimise their approach to CVA in children and minimise particular risks such as hypothermia, arrhythmias and fluid overload that are common in small children. Videos and photos show how to modify standard IR vascular access techniques for children to increase the rate of success in these procedures. Finally, the risks behind these procedures and the management of some of the complications of long term CVA devices are discussed.

Learning objectives

• Appreciate what is different about a child’s physiology and how to take it into account during a case to optimise patient safety
• Identify important venous anatomy variants and relevant anatomy in children with congenital cardiac disease
• Select which devices are suitable in very small children
• Be aware of specific risks of CVA in small children and develop a robust consent process
• Judge how to modify CVA insertion techniques to safely and successfully place vascular access devices in small children
• Describe what complications of CVA devices can occur and how to manage some aspects of malfunctioning lines
• Understand the data around long-term outcomes for lines in children

Further information

This course is designed for specialists, who have extensive medical experience, having seen at least 200 patients in clinic and completed at least 250 advanced IR procedures in addition to the 150 basic procedures.

The format of the course is interactive and easy to use, including texts, graphics, videos and a quiz to support your learning. The course duration is around 1 and a half hours and is accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) to award 1 European CME credits (ECMEC). The CME accreditation for this course will expire on April 04, 2025. A non-CME accredited version of the course will remain available for two more years.

The acquired CME Certificate will be available in the myCIRSE area under CIRSE Academy.

The enrolment period of this course is linked to the validity of the All-Access Pass.

Release date: April 2023