Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
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It is critical to establish a safe and functional i.v. access in severely sick patients. We evaluated the frequency of application and complications of central venous catheters in a pediatric intensive care unit. ⋯ We concluded that subclavian central venous catheterization is a safe procedure with minimal complications in pediatric patients. Arterial injury was the most frequent complication. In experienced hands, the success rate was 100%. Subclavian central venous catheter insertion may be considered as the first approach in critically ill patients.