Subclavian vein catheterization is a well estab1ished technique in adults for central venous pressure monitoring and the infusion of irritant solutions. Its use in small children is less common, preaumably because of technical difficulties in inserting the catheter and the disk of major complications. During cardiac surgery heparinization potentially adds to the risk of hematoma forma-tion. But it is often preferred becauae of the greater stability of the catheter on the anterior chest wall and allows a greater freedom of the neck and upper limb movement. We have experienced 62 open heart surgeries for congenital heart disease between April 14th and Oecember 31th 1986. In 47 children ranging in age from 11 months to 15 years, there was a high succes rate and no morbidity. It is concluded that infraclavicular subclavian vein catheterization is a useful means of measuring central venous presaure and establishing a central infusion line in children undergoing open heart surgery.