Vascular Access Clinical Pathway – Inpatient – Catheter Size Guide

Vascular Access Clinical Pathway – Inpatient – Catheter Size Guide

Catheter Size Guide for Central Line Placement

  • Catheter size depends on the following:
    • Diameter of the vein: catheter occupies ≤ 50% of the vein lumen
    • History of prior thrombosis or occlusion
    • Presence of pre-existing lines

Catheter Size Guide

Abbreviations Key — UE Upper Extremity, LE Lower Extremity

Weight PICC Cuffed Line
(Broviac)		 Port
< 1 kg
  • UE 1.9 Fr single/double
  • LE 1.9 or 2.6 Fr double
 N/A N/A
1–3 kg
  • UE 1.9 Fr single
  • UE 1.9 Fr double
     
  • LE 1.9 Fr single
  • LE 1.9 or 2.6 Fr double
  • 2.7–5 Fr single
  • 5.0 Fr double
  • 25.0 Fr
3–10 kg
  • UE 1.9 or 3.0 Fr single
  • UE 2.6 Fr double
     
  • LE 3 Fr single
  • 3–5 Fr single
  • 5–6 Fr double
  • 5–6 Fr
10–20 kg
  • UE 3 or 4 Fr single
  • UE 3.5 or 4 Fr double
  • 5–6.6 Fr single
  • 5–6 Fr double
  • 5–6 Fr single
20–40 kg
  • UE 3 or 4 Fr single
  • 3.5 to 5 Fr double
  • 5–7 Fr single
  • 6–7 Fr double
  • 6–8 Fr single
> 40 kg
  • UE 3 or 4 Fr single
  • UE 5 or 6 Fr double
  • 6–7 Fr single
  • 6–9 Fr double
  • 7–9 Fr single

Central Venous (Non-Arterial) Vessel Diameter

Gauge or French 24 G 22 G 2.5 Fr 3 Fr 4 Fr 5 Fr 7 Fr 9 Fr 12 Fr
Catheter Diameter in cm 0.07 0.09 0.08 0.1 0.13 0.17 0.23 0.3 0.4
Minimal Vessel Diameter in cm 0.14 0.18 0.16 0.2 0.26 0.34 0.46 0.6 0.8

PICU Guidelines for Catheter Selection

  Neonate
< 1 mo
2.5–5 kg		 Infant
1–12 mos
5–10 kg		 Toddler
13–36 mos
10–20 kg		 Young Child
3–8 yrs
15–25 kg		 Older Child
8–12 yrs
20–50 kg		 Adolescent
13–18 yrs
40–70 kg		 Adult
18+ yrs
70 kg
Arterial Catheter (G × cm) 24 × 2.5 24 × 2.5 24 × 5 24 × 5 24 or 22 × 5
Central Venous Catheter (Fr) 4 5 7
Dialysis/Pheresis Catheter (Fr) 7 8, 9 9 9, 11.5, 12 12