Dead space volumes of catheters and drug delivery: does it matter?

A lack of knowledge about the dead space of catheters and long lines used in neonatal intensive care units to administer different medicines can lead to significant delay in drug delivery. The aim of this study is to determine the dead space of some of the commonly used catheters and long lines to compare these measurements with the manufacturers’ reported dead space volumes and to assist in the timely administration of drug infusions.