Outcomes of tunneled femoral hemodialysis catheters: comparison with internal jugular vein catheters

BACKGROUND: Tunneled femoral vein dialysis catheters are used as a last resort when all other options for a permanent vascular access or thoracic central vein catheter have been exhausted. There is little published literature on the complications or outcomes of tunneled femoral catheters. METHODS: Using a prospective, computerized vascular access database, we identified all tunneled femoral dialysis catheters placed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham during a five-year period. The clinical features, catheter patency, and complications in these patients were compared to those observed in a group of sex-, age-, and date-matched control patients with tunneled internal jugular vein dialysis catheters. RESULTS: During the study period, 27 patients received a tunneled femoral dialysis catheter, accounting for 1.9% of all tunneled catheters placed. Only 7 patients (26%) were able to convert to a new permanent dialysis access. The primary catheter patency (time from placement to exchange) was substantially shorter for femoral catheters than for internal jugular dialysis catheters (median survival, 59 vs. >300 days, P < 0.0001). Infection-free survival was similar for both groups (P= 0.66). Seven patients with femoral catheters (or 26%) developed an ipsilateral deep vein thrombosis, but catheter use was possible with anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: Tunneled femoral dialysis catheters have a substantially shorter primary patency, but a similar risk of catheter-related bacteremia, as compared with internal jugular vein catheters. An ipsilateral lower extremity deep vein thrombosis occurs commonly after placement of a femoral dialysis catheter, but does not preclude continued catheter use.     

Use of the internal mammary vein for access outflow in a hemodialysis fistula

A patient with occlusion of multiple central veins from both dialysis and nondialysis catheters required permanent access for hemodialysis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a patent left innominate vein. He underwent creation of a left axillary artery to internal mammary vein transposition fistula using the basilic vein from his right arm. The fistula has required one revision for outflow stenosis and one for aneurysmal degeneration. It continues to function well 3 years after placement. The internal mammary vein is an option for outflow when permanent hemodialysis access has failed in the presence of a patent innominate vein with occluded or severely stenotic ipsilateral subclavian and jugular veins.     

血液透析患者颈外静脉置管和颈内静脉置管应用情况比较

由于深静脉置管术后即能使用,可保证足够的血流量,越来越多的患者选择其作为长期或临时性血管通路.目前颈内静脉置管是最常用的深静脉置管方式,但也有一些透析中心选择颈外静脉为置管部位.为了进一步观察颈外静脉置管的使用情况,我们回顾性比较了2007年1月至2008年6月我透析中心经颈外静脉和颈内静脉留置导管的血液透析患者情况,以期为血液透析患者提供另一可选择的置管途径.     

超声引导下颈内静脉置管的临床观察

目的观察超声引导对颈内静脉置管成功率及并发症的影响。方法选择2010年1月至2012年12月间需行颈内静脉置管进行血液透析治疗的患者366例,随机分为2组,即超声引导组与对照组。超声引导组（188例）在超声引导下行颈内静脉置管,对照组（178例）根据体表标记盲探下行颈内静脉置管,比较2组之间的穿刺成功率及并发症情况。结果超声引导组188例患者全部穿刺成功,置管成功率为100％（188／188）;对照组178例患者中有5例置管失败,置管成功率为97．1％（173／178）,2组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。其中超声引导组有181例（占96．2％）患者一针穿刺成功,对照组有95例（占53．3％）患者一针穿刺成功,2组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。超声引导组无一例患者发生误伤动脉、血肿、假性动脉瘤及气胸,对照组有12例患者误伤动脉,5例发生血肿,1例出现假性动脉瘤,无患者发生气胸。结论超声引导可提高颈内静脉置管成功率,减少穿刺次数及并发症的发生,值得临床推广应用。     

Bypass graft to the contralateral internal jugular vein for venous outflow obstruction of a functioning hemodialysis access fistula

As survival among patients with renal failure improves, vascular access becomes more difficult, and preservation of functioning access increases in importance. Subclavian vein thrombosis associated with a distal arteriovenous fistula can result in massive and debilitating swelling of the affected extremity. We describe a novel crossover bypass grafting procedure to the contralateral internal jugular vein in a patient with a thrombosed internal jugular and subclavian vein. This procedure resulted in preservation of the functioning arteriovenous fistula and resolution of the symptoms. Unlike previously described crossover procedures to the contralateral basilic or axillary veins, this bypass graft has the added benefit of not obviating future fistula creation in that extremity.     

Use of the internal jugular vein for carotid patch angioplasty

The internal jugular vein is an excellent source of autogenous tissue for carotid artery reconstruction because of its availability in the operative incision, adequate size, and ability to be harvested without morbidity. For 153 of 453 consecutive carotid reconstructions, the durability of the internal jugular vein (n = 76) and the greater saphenous vein (n = 77) as a patch angioplasty was compared. Mean postoperative follow-up was 17 months (1 to 52 months). The vein-patched carotid-bifurcation was studied by means of duplex ultrasonography to assess patency, detect restenosis, and measure cross-sectional diameter during systole. No carotid bifurcation occluded after operation. No ruptures or aneurysmal dilatations of the vein patches were observed. The maximum diameter (mean +/- SD) of the carotid patch angioplasties constructed with internal jugular vein (9.4 +/- 1.9 mm) was similar to patches made with greater saphenous vein (9.6 +/- 1.7 mm). In 95 patients serial duplex examinations demonstrated maximum diameter changes of the vein-patched internal carotid artery ranging from an increase of 3.5 mm to a decrease of 3.0 mm. Asymptomatic restenosis (greater than 50% diameter reduction) was detected in 2/95 (2.1%) patients. Because of the premium placed on the saphenous vein for peripheral arterial reconstruction and coronary artery bypass grafting, the ipsilateral internal jugular vein should be used more frequently for carotid patch angioplasty.     

Right versus left internal jugular vein catheterization for hemodialysis: complications and impact on ipsilateral access creation

This study investigated whether the anatomical differences between right and left internal jugular vein catheterization (RJVC and LJVC) would lead to differences in the frequency of complications, in particular, central vein occlusion (CVO). A group of 479 jugular vein catheterizations, 403 RJVC and 77 LJVC done in 294 prevalent hemodialysis patients were analyzed. A right-sided carotid pseudoaneurysm was the only major puncture-related complication. A total of 78 RJVC and 17 LJVC were inserted more than once in the same position. Of the RJVC, 44 (10.9%) of 403 were removed because of infection compared with 16 (20.8%) of 77 LJVC (P < 0.02). The overall incidence of infections was 1.58 episodes of infection per 1000 catheter days, 1.57 for RJVC and 3.72 for LJVC, respectively. Catheter dwell times were not different. A group of 127 patients with former RJVC and 44 with LJVC had ipsilateral arteriovenous access (RJVC+ and LJVC+ group, respectively). Four diabetic LJVC+ developed severe arm swelling secondary to CVO leading ultimately to access ligation. The RJVC+ group had no access ligated. LJVC may cause CVO in diabetics.     

Usefulness of Groshong catheters for central venous access via the external jugular vein.

This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of central venous access via the external jugular vein (EJV) employing Groshong catheters, and to compare the complications with those of conventional internal jugular venous catheterization. Central venous access was achieved by insertion of a single-lumen 4.0 Fr Groshong catheter via the EJV or internal jugular vein (IJV) with a single puncture. Complications associated with insertion and central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection (CVC-RBSI) were evaluated from the database. Two hundred and twenty-five patients received 400 catheters for a total period of 5377 catheter-days. Ninety-six patients underwent 201 internal jugular venous catheter (IJV-C) procedures for 2381 catheter-days, and 129 patients underwent 199 external jugular venous catheter (EJV-C) procedures for 2996 catheter-days. Use of EJV-C was associated with a longer catheter insertion length (p < .01) and period (p < .01), a larger number of operations (p < .01), and more frequent use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (p < .01) and less frequent use of chemotherapy (p < .01) than for IJV-C. However, there were no significant differences (NS) in complications associated with insertion and CVC-RBSI between IJV-C and EJV-C. There were no significant differences such complications as malposition, oozing or hematoma formation of insertion site, arterial bleeding, nerve damage, pneumothorax, and phlebitis between IJV-C and EJV-C. Moreover, EJV-C was not associated with morbidities such as pneumothorax, arterial bleeding, and nerve damage. Thus the study concluded that EJV-C using Groshong catheters has no severe complications and has the same rates of CVC-RBSI as conventional IJV-C for central venous access.     

Ultrasound-guided cannulation of the femoral vein for acute hemodialysis access with silicone catheters

The percutaneous femoral approach for temporary central venous hemodialysis access is a mandatory part of patient management in many clinical settings. It is usually achieved with a blind, exter-nal landmark-guided technique. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether an ultrasound technique can improve on the external landmark method. From 1990 to January 2000, cannulation of the femoral vein was performed on 230 patients (125 male, 105 female, mean age 72 years, range 52-95 years) for temporary vascular access for hemodialysis (172 patients with acute renal failure and 58 patients in end-stage renal disease), using landmark localization with semi-rigid, uncuffed catheters. Between January 2000 and February 2001, ultrasound-guided can-nulation of the femoral vein was utilized in 38 patients (20 male, 13 female, mean age 71 , range 55-93 years) for temporary vascular access for hemodialysis (28 patients with acute renal failure and 10 patients in end-stage- renal failure). Uncuffed, dual-lumen silicone catheters were used. Cannulation of the femoral vein was achieved in 100% of cases using ultrasound, and in 87% using the landmark-guided technique. Using ultrasound, puncture of the femoral artery occurred in 2.6% of patients, and hematoma in 0%. Using the 'blind' technique, puncture of the femoral artery occurred in 11.2% of patients, and hematoma in 3.9%. The average catheter dwell time, in accordance with NKF-DOQI guidelines, was 5 days (range 2 - 14 days) for semi-rigid catheters and 45 days (range 5-120 days) for silastic catheters. The number of complications rose significantly in the patients with semi-rigid catheters. In this group, local exit infection occurred in 105 persons (45% of cases), total catheter thrombosis in 46 (20%), bacteriemia in 28 (12%), and phlebitis of the leg in 6 (2.6%). In the group with silicone catheters local exit infection occurred in 4 patients (10 % of cas-es), total catheter thrombosis in 1 (2.6%), bacteriemia in 2 (5.2%) and phlebitis in 0 (0%). The result of the study suggests that ultrasound-guided cannulation of the femoral vein is superior to traditional techniques relying on anatomic landmark; it reduces the numbers of unsuccessful attempts and the possible acute complications of the procedure. We believe that femoral cannulation with modern flexible silicone catheters can be considered as a reliable temporary access, even for extended periods.     

Use of superficial femoral vein for hemodialysis arteriovenous access

Maintaining hemodialysis access in the expanding number of patients with end-stage renal disease is a difficult and challenging problem. Published guidelines outline the initial recommendations for hemodialysis access; however, there is little consensus about the most appropriate options for the subset of patients with repeated access failures and/or unsuitable veins. Two case reports are presented describing the use of composite saphenous-superficial femoral vein autogenous accesses placed in the upper and lower extremities. The function of the autogenous accesses appeared to be similar to a mature arteriovenous fistula in the short-term, although further longitudinal studies are required. The superficial femoral vein may be a useful hemodialysis access conduit for patients with limited access options.     

血液透析颈内静脉导管固定组件的设计与应用

目的探讨自制血液透析颈内静脉导管固定组件临床应用效果。方法自行创新设计颈内静脉导管固定组件,应用于31例血液透析颈内静脉留置导管维护固定,并评价患者导管牢固性、局部皮肤反应、颈部活动度。结果固定组件应用后患者颈部活动度、局部皮肤反应、导管牢固性明显优于传统固定方法。结论颈内静脉导管固定组件可使血液透析患者在颈内静脉导管留置期间,保持颈部皮肤清洁、减轻痛苦、增进舒适,其操作简单、安全稳妥。     

Catheterization of the external jugular vein for hemodialysis

Permanent central catheter for hemodialysis was inserted via external jugular vein in 95 patients. In all the cases the catheter blood flow was more than 250 ml/min. There were no severe complications. The procedure of insertion of permanent catheter for hemodialysis via the external jugular vein is described. It is concluded that the insertion of permanent catheter for hemodialysis via the external jugular vein is a simple and short-time procedure without any severe complications.     

电极片-缝线固定血液透析颈内静脉插管的效果

目的 评价电极片-缝线固定血液透析颈内静脉插管的可行性.方法 将患者按照入院时间分组,对照组(64例)采用传统胶布固定,观察组(60例)采用电极片与缝线的改良固定法.结果 两组舒适度、视觉美感、导管固定时间、皮肤过敏发生率比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).结论 电极片-缝线固定法可有效维持导管固定效果,降低皮肤过敏发生.     

Intra-atrial ECG is not a reliable method for positioning left internal jugular vein catheters

Background. ECG guidance is widely used for positioning centralvenous catheters (CVCs) in the superior vena cava. We noticeda higher incidence of a more perpendicular angle between thecatheter tip and the vessel wall after left-sided ECG-guidedcatheter positioning. To investigate the value of left-sidedECG guidance, we performed this prospective study. Methods. Of 114 patients, 53 were randomized to right and 61to left internal jugular vein catheterization using a triplelumen catheter. Three methods to ascertain catheter tip positionwere sequentially applied in each patient, and the insertiondepths (ID) obtained using each of the three methods were recorded:(i) ECG guidance with a Seldinger guide wire (ID-A); (ii) ECGguidance with saline 10% used as an exploring electrode (ID-B);(iii) from position ID-B, the catheter was rotated and advanceduntil all three lumina could be aspirated easily. The catheterwas fixed in that position (ID-C). To determine final cathetertip position, intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography(TOE) and a postoperative chest X-ray (CXR) were performed. Results. The depth of insertion of a catheter using the threemethods varied significantly in left-sided (P<0.001), butnot in right-sided catheters. Forty-eight of 57 (84%) left-sidedCVCs, correctly positioned according to ECG guidance, had tobe advanced further to achieve free aspiration through all threelumina. By this stage, five of the catheter tips had been positionedin the upper right atrium as demonstrated by TOE. There were13 malpositions (23%) after left-sided insertion. In nine cathetermalpositions, undetected by ECG guidance, the angle betweenthe catheter tip and the lateral wall of the superior vena cavaexceeded 40° on CXR. Conclusions. Intra-atrial ECG does not detect the junction betweenthe superior vena cava and right atrium. It is not a reliablemethod for confirming position of left-sided CVCs. Post-proceduralCXRs are recommended for left-sided, but not right-sided CVCs. Br J Anaesth 2003; 91: 481–6     

Cerebral hemorrhage due to internal jugular vein stenosis in a hemodialysis patient

A 53 year old female with ESRD on hemodialysis presented with headache, vomiting, and lethargy that had started 2 h prior to presentation. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed parenchymal hemorrhage in the temporal, occipital, and cerebellar white matter. Magnetic resonance venography disclosed hypoplastic transverse sinus. On cerebral angiogram there was no evidence of cerebral aneurysm, vasculitis or vascular malformation. Angiogram demonstrated a high-grade stenosis was present in the left internal jugular vein (IJV) just below the anastomosis of the graft. There was retrograde high flow in the left IJV above the anastomosis of the graft, which fills a small left transverse venous sinus. There was also filling of the multiple abnormally enlarged leptomeningeal veins over the surface of the left cerebral and left cerebellar hemispheres. Retrograde blood flow was due to IJV stenosis which led to cerebral venous hypertension and intraparenchymal brain hemorrhage. She then underwent occlusion of her left brachiojugular dialysis graft. Thereafter, her mental status markedly improved and her headache resolved. Since IJV stenosis and hypoplastic transverse sinuses are not rare, patients with jugular grafts should probably be closely watched for symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. As awareness of vein preservation in CKD patients grows, the prevalence of CVS would probably decline in future.