Azygos Tip Placement for Hemodialysis Catheters in Patients with Superior Vena Cava Occlusion

Chronic central venous access is necessary for numerous life-saving therapies. Repeated access is complicated by thrombosis and occlusion of the major veins, such as the superior vena cava (SVC), which then require novel vascular approaches if therapy is to be continued. We present two cases of catheterization of the azygos system in the presence of an SVC obstruction. We conclude that the azygos vein may be used for long-term vascular access when other conduits are unavailable and that imaging studies such as magnetic resonance venography, contrast-enhanced computed tomography or conventional venography can be employed prior to the procedure to aid with planning and prevent unforeseen complications.     

Incidence of Central Vein Stenosis and Occlusion Following Upper Extremity PICC and Port Placement

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of central vein stenosis and occlusion following upper extremity placement of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) and venous ports. One hundred fifty-four patients who underwent venography of the ipsilateral central veins prior to initial and subsequent venous access device insertion were retrospectively identified. All follow-up venograms were interpreted at the time of catheter placement by one interventional radiologist over a 5-year period and compared to the findings on initial venography. For patients with central vein abnormalities, hospital and home infusion service records and radiology reports were reviewed to determine catheter dwell time and potential alternative etiologies of central vein stenosis or occlusion. The effect of catheter caliber and dwell time on development of central vein abnormalities was evaluated. Venography performed prior to initial catheter placement showed that 150 patients had normal central veins. Three patients had central vein stenosis, and one had central vein occlusion. Subsequent venograms (n = 154) at the time of additional venous access device placement demonstrated 8 patients with occlusions and 10 with stenoses. Three of the 18 patients with abnormal follow-up venograms were found to have potential alternative causes of central vein abnormalities. Excluding these 3 patients and the 4 patients with abnormal initial venograms, a 7% incidence of central vein stenosis or occlusion was found in patients with prior indwelling catheters and normal initial venograms. Catheter caliber showed no effect on the subsequent development of central vein abnormalities. Patients who developed new or worsened central vein stenosis or occlusion had significantly (p = 0.03) longer catheter dwell times than patients without central vein abnormalities. New central vein stenosis or occlusion occurred in 7% of patients following upper arm placement of venous access devices. Patients with longer catheter dwell time were more likely to develop central vein abnormalities. In order to preserve vascular access for dialysis fistulae and grafts and adhere to Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines, alternative venous access sites should be considered for patients with chronic renal insufficiency and end-stage renal disease.     

Stenting of the Superior Vena Cava and Left Brachiocephalic Vein with Preserving the Central Venous Catheter in Situ

Stenting of the central veins is well established for treating localized venous stenosis. The techniques regarding catheter preservation for central venous catheters in the superior vena cava have been described. We describe here a method for stent implantation in the superior vena cava and the left brachiocephalic vein, and principally via a single jugular venous puncture, while saving a left sided jugular central venous catheter in a patient suffering from central venous stenosis of the superior vena cava and the left brachiocephalic vein.     

Endovascular Technique for Revision of Excess Catheter Length in Subcutaneous Implanted Venous Access Devices

To describe the implementation of a technique to trim the excess length of a central venous catheter via a process of endovascular snaring without exposing or changing the device. We report on the outcome of this technique in 3 patients. The technique was successful in two cases and successful with a modification in the remaining case. The technique is useful to salvage an implanted venous access device. It appears to be less invasive with reduced procedure time and less patient discomfort than other techniques.     

Postprocedural Aspiration Test to Predict Adequacy of Dialysis Following Tunneled Catheter Placement

The objective of the study was to determine if a timed aspiration technique with a 20-ml syringe can be used to predict adequacy of blood flow in tunneled dialysis catheters. Sixteen patients referred for de novo placement or manipulation of failing tunneled hemodialysis catheters had the time it takes to fill a 20-ml syringe with the plunger fully withdrawn measured to the nearest tenth of a second. These measurements were correlated with flow rates recorded in dialysis just prior to (if failed catheter) and in the following dialysis session with adequacy determined as at least 300 ml/min. Syringe-filling time (22 catheters in 16 patients) was plotted against adequacy of dialysis. The mean time to fill a 20-ml syringe was 2.2 sec, with a range of 1.0–4.7 sec. The mean time to fill syringes for catheters with adequate dialysis was 1.7 ± 0.5 sec, and for inadequate catheters, it was 2.8 ± 0.8 sec. These differences are statistically significant (p < 0.001). Using a filling time of greater than or equal to 2 sec as a threshold gives the highest sensitivity (100%) for predicting inadequate dialysis while maintaining high specificity (75%). To achieve a specificity of 100%, a 3-sec cutoff would be necessary, but would lead to a sensitivity of only 20%. A simple and objective aspiration technique can be performed at the time of tunneled dialysis catheter placement/manipulation to reasonably predict adequacy of subsequent dialysis.     

Endovascular Removal of Long-Term Hemodialysis Catheters

Central venous catheters that have been in place for a long time can become fixed to the vein wall, making them impossible to pull out. Leaving them in situ is undesirable because of the risk that they could act as a nidus for thrombosis. Moreover, inserting new catheters alongside the old ones might compromise flow in the superior vena cava, further predisposing to thrombosis. Surgical removal is likewise undesirable, as this would necessitate thoracotomy with the attendant risks. We describe a novel technique, which we were able to use to remove retained long-term hemodialysis catheters in a patient who needed new catheters and who would have been a high-risk candidate for surgery. The right internal jugular vein was punctured adjacent to the site of insertion and a guide wire was used to form a snare, which was passed around the catheters and used to saw through the fibrous attachments to the vein wall. The midsection of one catheter could not be freed but the snare was used to cut off the proximal and distal ends, which could then be removed, the latter via the femoral vein. New catheters were then inserted via the left internal jugular vein. This technique enabled successful catheter extraction and replacement in a patient who would have been a poor candidate for cardiothoracic surgery.     

C-arm Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Needle Path Overlay for Fluoroscopic-Guided Placement of Translumbar Central Venous Catheters

C-arm cone beam computed tomography is an advanced 3D imaging technology that is currently available on state-of-the-art flat-panel-based angiography systems. The overlay of cross-sectional imaging information can now be integrated with real-time fluoroscopy. This overlay technology was used to guide the placement of three percutaneous translumbar inferior vena cava catheters.     

Inadvertent Puncture of the Thoracic Duct During Attempted Central Venous Catheter Placement

We report a case of puncture of the thoracic duct during left subclavian vein catheterization on the intensive care unit. Computed tomography and measurement of the triglyceride levels in the aspirated fluid proved the inadvertent penetration of the guidewire into the thoracic duct. Early recognition of central line misplacement avoided serious complications. Inadvertent central venous catheter placement into the thoracic duct may have the potential complications of infusion mediastinum and chylothorax.     

Dialysis Catheter-Related Superior Vena Cava Syndrome with Patent Vena Cava: Long Term Efficacy of Unilateral Viatorr Stent-Graft Avoiding Catheter Manipulation

Central venous catheters are the most frequent causes of benign central vein stenosis. We report the case of a 79-year-old woman on hemodialysis through a twin catheter in the right internal jugular vein, presenting with superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome with patent SVC. The clinically driven endovascular therapy was conducted to treat the venous syndrome with a unilateral left brachiocephalic stent-graft without manipulation of the well-functioning catheter. The follow-up was uneventful until death 94 months later.     

A Retrospective Comparative Study of Tunneled Haemodialysis Catheters Inserted Through Occluded or Collateral Veins Versus Conventional Methods

Tunneled hemodialysis catheters become essential in dialysis access when there is no possibility of using a functioning arteriovenous fistula. Collateral or occluded veins visible on ultrasound are used for puncture and passage of catheters into the central venous system. Chronically occluded veins are crossed with guidewires to allow dilatation and subsequent passage of hemodialysis catheters. We performed a retrospective analysis of patient demographics, comorbidities, procedural complications, functional survival, performance, and history of previous vascular access. The study group was compared with two control groups in which dialysis catheters were inserted either by radiologists in the interventional suite or by clinicians on the wards. Nineteen patients from the study group were compared with same number of patients in both control groups. The mean age of the study group was higher compared with the control groups. There was no significant difference in mean functional survival, infection rates, dialysis pump speeds in the first 2 weeks, and procedural complications between the study group and the controls. The study group had a significantly higher number of previous vascular access interventions, longer dialysis careers, and more comorbidities. Tunneled dialysis catheter placement by way of collateral or occluded veins appears safe and effective. These techniques give the operator further options when faced with patients possessing challenging vascular access. Indeed, there may be a case for preferential use of these veins to keep patent central veins in reserve.     

中心静脉导管闭式引流并腔内化疗治疗恶性胸腔积液100例

目的观察中心静脉导管闭式引流结合顺铂胸腔内化疗治疗恶性胸腔积液的疗效。方法100例恶性胸腔积液患者应用中心静脉导管行胸腔闭式引流,配合顺铂行胸腔内化疗。结果治疗后近期疗效:CR 38例(38%),PR45例(45%),NC17例(17%),总有效率(CR+PR)83%。结论中心静脉导管闭式引流并顺铂腔内化疗治疗恶性胸腔积液是一种安全、方便、有效的方法,值得临床推广。     

A Prospective Comparison of Two Types of Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheters: The Ash Split Versus the PermCath

Purpose: In a prospective randomized study a standard dual-tip hemodialysis catheter (PermCath, Sherwood Medical, St. Louis, MO, USA) was compared with a newer split-lumen catheter (Ash Split, Medcomp, Harleysville, PA, USA).Methods: Sixty-nine patients (42 men, 27 women; mean age 62 years) were randomized to receive either the Ash Split (AS) or the PermCath (PC) catheter. The catheters were inserted into the internal jugular vein. The primary outcome evaluated was blood flow measurements during the first six hemodialysis sessions. Secondary outcomes included: technical difficulties encountered at insertion, early complications and late complications requiring catheter removal or exchange.Results: A total of 69 hemodialysis catheters, 33 AS and 36 PC, were successfully inserted in the internal jugular vein (right 60, left 9) of 69 patients. Mean blood flow during dialysis (Qb) was 270.75 ml/min and 261.86 ml/hr for the AS and PC groups respectively (p=0.27). Mean duration of catheter use was 111.7 days (range 5.4–548.9 days) and 141.2 days (range 7.0–560.9 days) in the AS and PC groups respectively (p=0.307). Catheter failures leading to removal or exchange occurred in 20 patients: 14 in the AS group and six in the PC group. Survival curves with censored endpoints (i.e., recovery, arteriovenous fistula formation, peritoneal dialysis and transplantation) showed significantly better outcome with PermCath catheters (p=0.024). There was no significant difference in ease of insertion or early complication rates.Conclusion: The Ash Split catheter allows increased rates of blood flow during hemodialysis but this increase was not significant at the beginning (p=0.21) or end (p=0.27) of the first six hemodialysis sessions. The Ash Split catheter is more prone to minor complications, particularly dislodgment, than the PermCath catheter.     

Treatment of Inadvertent Pericardial Placement of a Tunneled Dialysis Catheter by Direct Thrombin Injection

An inadvertent case of pericardial placement of a central venous catheter was successfully treated by direct thrombin injection.     

Ultrasound and Fluoroscopy-Guided Placement of Central Venous Ports via Internal Jugular Vein: Retrospective Analysis of 1254 Port Implantations at a Single Center

Objective

To assess the technical success and complication rates of the radiologic placement of central venous ports via the internal jugular vein.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 1254 central venous ports implanted at our institution between August 2002 and October 2009. All procedures were guided by using ultrasound and fluoroscopy. Catheter maintenance days, technical success rates, peri-procedural, as well as early and late complication rates were evaluated based on the interventional radiologic reports and patient medical records.

Results

A total of 433386 catheter maintenance days (mean, 350 days; range 0-1165 days) were recorded. The technical success rate was 99.9% and a total of 61 complications occurred (5%), resulting in a post-procedural complication rate of 0.129 of 1000 catheter days. Among them, peri-procedural complications within 24 hours occurred in five patients (0.4%). There were 56 post-procedural complications including 24 (1.9%, 0.055 of 1000 catheter days) early and 32 (2.6%, 0.074 of 1000 catheter days) late complications including, infection (0.6%, 0.018 of 10000 catheter days), thrombotic malfunction (1.4%, 0.040 of 1000 catheter days), nonthrombotic malfunction (0.9%, 0.025 of 1000 catheter days), venous thrombosis (0.5%, 0.014 of 1000 catheter days), as well as wound problems (1.1%, 0.032 of 1000 catheter days). Thirty six CVPs (3%) were removed due to complications. Bloodstream infections and venous thrombosis were the two main adverse events prolonging hospitalization (mean 13 days and 5 days, respectively).

Conclusion

Radiologic placement of a central venous port via the internal jugular vein is safe and efficient as evidenced by its high technical success rate and a very low complication rate.     

Comparison of Ultrasonography-Guided Central Venous Catheterization Between Adult and Pediatric Populations

The purpose of this study was to compare the technical success and complication rates of ultrasonography-guided central venous catheterization between adult and pediatric patients which have not been reported previously. In a 4-year period, 859 ultrasonography-guided central vein catheterizations in 688 adult patients and 247 catheterizations in 156 pediatric patients were retrospectively evaluated. Mean age was 56.3 years (range, 18 to 95 years) for adults and 3.3 years (range, 0.1 to 16.3 years) for children. The preferred catheterization site was internal jugular vein in 97% of adults and 85% of children. The technical success rate, mean number of punctures, and rate of single wall puncture were 99.4%, 1.04 (range, 1–3), and 83% for adults and 90.3%, 1.25 (range, 1–5), and 49% for children, respectively. All the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Complication rates were 2.3% and 2.4% for adults and children, respectively (p > 0.05). Major complications such as pneumothorax and hemothorax were not seen in any group. In conclusion, ultrasonography-guided central venous catheterization has a high technical success rate, lower puncture attempt rate, and higher single wall puncture rate in adults compared to children. Complication rates are comparable in the two groups.     

经皮球囊血管成形术和经皮支架植入术治疗透析通路中心静脉狭窄的临床效果比较

目的：观察透析通路中心静脉狭窄（CVS）经皮球囊血管成形术（PTA）和经皮支架植入术（PTS）治疗的近中期疗效。 方法：选取2014年10月—2016年10月收治的发生CVS的血液透析患者40例,按治疗方式的不同分为PTA治疗组26例和PTA+PTS治疗组14例。观察两组患者术后疗效及通路管径变化情况;随访术后1、3、6个月透析通路的开放情况及开放时间。 结果：术后相关症状均在1周内改善,治疗后通路直径较治疗前均增宽;PTA治疗组的初级开放时间为（5.17±1.54）个月,高于PTA+PTS治疗组的初级开放时间（3.57±1.71）个月;PTA+PTS治疗组的腔内干预次数为（1.93±0.47）次,高于PTA治疗组的（1.35±0.56）次,差异均有统计学意义。PTA治疗组1、3、6个月的初级开放率分别为96.2%、80.7%、69.2%,辅助初级开放率分别为100%、92.3%、92.3%;PTA+PTS治疗组1、3、6个月的初级开放率分别为92.9%、64.3%、14.3%,辅助初级开放率分别为100%、100%、85.7%。两组的初级开放率和辅助初级开放率差异无统计学意义。 结论：透析通路CVS的治疗首选单纯PTA,当出现PTA抵抗或频繁复发时,可以考虑植入支架。     

不同途径中心静脉置管术前术后之共同处置事项临床分析

目的：不同途径中心静脉置管术术前术后的共同处置事项临床总结分析。方法：将68例需要中心静脉置管的患者按入院的时间先后随机分成两组,治疗组术前使用吗啡,术后用施乐扣固定并立即使用单次抗生素。对照组单纯按传统方法穿刺,术前术后不作以上处理。结果：治疗组患者并发症的发生率明显低于对照（P〈0.05）。结论：中心静脉置管术前注射吗啡术后使用施乐扣固定及使用单次抗生素能明显降低各种并发症的发生,舒适、安全。     

Central venous infusion port inserted via high versus low jugular venous approaches: Retrospective comparison of outcome and complications

Purpose

To retrospectively compare immediate and long-term outcome of central venous infusion port inserted via right high versus low jugular vein approaches.

Materials and methods

The study included 163 patients (125 women patients, 38 men patients; age range, 18-79 years; mean age, 53 years); 142 patients underwent port insertion with low jugular vein approach and 21 patients with high jugular vein approach. The causes of high jugular vein puncture were metastatic lymphadenopathy (n = 7), operation scar (n = 6), radiation scar (n = 5), failure of low jugular vein puncture (n = 2), and abnormal course of right subclavian artery (n = 1). Medical records and radiologic studies were reviewed retrospectively to determine and compare the outcome and the occurrence of complication related to port.

Results

The procedure-related complications were all minor (n = 14, 8.6%) in both groups; hematoma (n = 4, 2.8% in low jugular puncture group and n = 1, 4.8% in high jugular puncture group, p = 0.6295), air embolism (n = 2, 1.4% in low jugular puncture group and n = 0 in high jugular puncture group, p = 0.5842) and minor bleeding (n = 5, 3.5% in low jugular vein puncture group and n = 2, 9.5% in high jugular vein puncture group, p = 0.2054). The average length of follow-up was 431 days for low jugular vein puncture group and 284 days for high jugular vein puncture group. The difference between two groups was significant (p = 0.0349).The reasons for catheter removal were patients’ death (59 in low jugular puncture group and 14 in high jugular puncture group, p = 0.0465), suspected infection (11 in low jugular vein puncture group and 2 in high jugular vein puncture group, p = 0.8242), catheter occlusion (four in low jugular vein puncture group and one in high jugular vein puncture group, p = 0.6583). The catheter tip migrated upward an average of 1.86 cm (range, −0.5 to 5.0 cm) in low jugular vein puncture group and 1.56 cm (range, 0-3.6 cm) in high jugular vein puncture group and there was no significant difference (p = 0.4232).

Conclusions

Right high jugular vein approach can be a feasible alternative to right low jugular vein approach.     

Concurrent Central Venous Stent and Central Venous Access Device Placement Does Not Compromise Stent Patency or Catheter Function in Patients with Malignant Central Venous Obstruction

Purpose

To determine if concurrent placement of a central venous stent (CVS) and central venous access device (CVAD) compromises stent patency or catheter function in patients with malignant central venous obstruction.

Bard PowerPICC Solo2 vs Cook Turbo-Ject: A Tale of Two PICCs

Purpose

To compare the complications experienced for 2 different brands of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC), Cook Turbo-Ject and the Bard PowerPICC Solo2. The rationale for this project revolved around concern that one of the PICCS in question had high rates of complications.

Methods

A prospective clinical trial was conducted after obtaining approval from the University of Saskatchewan Human Research Ethics Committee. All PICCs were implanted at the Royal University Hospital Medical Imaging Department by an interventional radiologist. Patient randomization was achieved by alternating the brand of PICC implanted in sequential patients. All the subjects were inpatients from a single surgical ward. Patients were excluded from the study if they had a known uncorrected coagulopathy, or if they were being treated for venous thrombosis. This project was financially supported by the Summer Student Research Fund, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan.

Results

A total of 53 PICCs (25 Bard and 28 Cook) were inserted over the study period. The mean PICC dwell time was 23.3 days for both the Bard and Cook PICCs, respectively. No statistically significant differences were detected in study group demographics, technical placement of the PICCs, or in the complications encountered.

Discussion

Both the Cook Turbo-Ject and the Bard PowerPicc Solo2 PICCs provided acceptable venous access for a wide variety of clinical indications.