The application effect of mini midline catheters in intravenous therapy for neurology patients: real-world evidence from eastern China

Aim To investigate the application effect of ultrasound-guided combined with Accelerated Seldinger Technique (AST) for mini midline catheter placement in patients in the neurology department undergoing short- to mid-term intravenous therapy, and to analyze its safety, feasibility, and influencing factors. Methods A convenience sampling method was used to select 136 patients admitted to the Neurology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from May to November 2025, who underwent mini midline catheter placement. Patient general information, intravenous therapy details, catheterization operation indicators, catheter indwelling outcomes, and complication occurrences were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0. Results All 136 patients were successfully catheterized. The one-time puncture success rate was 77.2%, the mean operation time was (9.15 ± 4.11) min, and the pain score during placement was low (1.74 ± 1.08 points). The mean catheter indwelling time was (12.44 ± 6.66) days. The overall complication rate was 11.0%, with catheter blockage being the most common (5.1%). A higher daily average infusion volume was associated with a higher incidence of complications ( P < 0.05) and with a longer indwelling time (r = 0.351, P < 0.001). Patient satisfaction reached 89.7%. Conclusion The ultrasound-guided mini midline catheter is safe and feasible for application in neurology department patients. It offers advantages including a high success rate of catheterization, low complication rate, and high patient satisfaction, making it particularly suitable for short- to mid-term intravenous therapy with a relatively high daily infusion volume. Future multicenter, large-sample studies are needed to further validate its clinical benefits.