Guidewire-induced persistent supraventricular tachycardia during central venous catheterization in a child

Abstract

Central venous catheter placement can induce dysrhythmia. We report a case of supraventricular tachycardia following inadvertent over-insertion of a guidewire during femoral central venous catheterization in a 10-year-old child with 35% body surface area deep thermal burns. Immediate withdrawal of the guidewire, vagal manoeuvres and metoprolol administration were not successful in terminating the dysrhythmia. The dysrhythmia responded to intravenous amiodarone.

Keywords

• central venous catheterization
• cardiac dysrhythmia
• supraventricular tachycardia