Internal Jugular Dialysis Catheter Research Articles

An abysmal conundrum associated with a misplaced dialysis catheter.

A 25-year-old female patient with chronic glomerulonephritis, initiated on haemodialysis presented with high-grade fever, a dysfunctional catheter, low oxygen saturation and unstable blood pressure. Upon evaluation, the patient was febrile with elevated white blood cell counts. She was intubated, started on inotropes and transferred to the intensive care unit. Chest radiography showed that the tunnelled internal jugular dialysis catheter had migrated to the inferior vena cava. Echocardiography and transoesophageal echocardiography showed severe heart dysfunction with a large thrombus attached to the catheter, indicating catheter-related atrial thrombus (CRAT). CT pulmonary angiography revealed blockage of the segmental pulmonary arteries, suggesting pulmonary embolism. Blood and tracheal cultures revealed Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The patient was administered appropriate antibiotics and anticoagulants and underwent surgical removal of the thrombus and the catheter. This case demonstrates the risks associated with improper placement of dialysis catheters and highlights the brief management of CRAT.

Central venous stenosis after subclavian versus internal jugular dialysis catheter insertion (CITES) in adults in need of a temporary central dialysis catheter: study protocol for a two-arm, parallel-group, non-inferiority randomised controlled trial

BackgroundThe right internal jugular vein is currently recommended for temporary central dialysis catheters (tCDC) based on results from previous studies showing a lower incidence of central vein stenosis compared to the subclavian vein. Data is however conflicting, and there are several advantages when the subclavian route is used for tCDCs. This prospective, controlled, randomised, non-inferiority study aims to compare the incidence of post-catheterisation central vein stenosis between the right subclavian and the right internal jugular routes.MethodsAdult patients needing a tCDC will be included from several hospitals and randomised to either subclavian or internal jugular vein catheterisation with a silicone tCDC. Inclusion continues until 50 patients in each group have undergone a follow-up CT venography. The primary outcome is the incidence of post-catheterisation central vein stenosis detected by a CT venography performed 1.5 to 3 months after removal of the tCDC. Secondary outcomes include between-group comparisons of (I) the patients’ experience of discomfort and pain, (II) any dysfunction of the tCDC during use, (III) catheterisation success rate and (IV) the number of mechanical complications. Furthermore, the ability to detect central vein stenosis by a focused ultrasound examination will be evaluated using the CT venography as golden standard.DiscussionThe use of the subclavian route for tCDC placement has largely been abandoned due to older studies with various methodological issues. However, the subclavian route offers several advantages for the patient. This trial is designed to provide robust data on the incidence of central vein stenosis after silicone tCDC insertion in the era of ultrasound-guided catheterisations.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov; NCT04871568. Prospectively registered on May 4, 2021.

Subclavian vein injury during placement of the right internal jugular dialysis catheter

We present a case of a serious complication during placement of a tunneled central venous line due to rupture of the right subclavian vein and subsequent right hemothorax and hemomediastinum that warranted surgical intervention. The surgery was successful, however, the patient died of multiple comorbidities and multiorgan failure 4 days later.

S2642 A Novel Use of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Regurgitation in End-Stage Liver Disease

INTRODUCTION: The combination of severe aortic regurgitation (AR), end-stage liver disease (ESLD), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) carries significant morbidity and mortality. ESLD induces a hyperdynamic circulation characterized by peripheral vasodilation, low intravascular volume, and impaired contractility, resulting in poor cardiac reserve. As such, treatment options for valvular abnormalities such as AR in the setting of ESLD and ESRD remain challenging. While transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS) is well established, minimally-invasive treatment options for AR are limited. We present a case of severe AR in a patient with ESLD and ESRD treated via expanded-access TAVR, hence allowing the patient to maintain transplant candidacy. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 48 y/o male with history of alcohol-related ESLD and ESRD was referred for evaluation of simultaneous liver and kidney transplant. Initial evaluation revealed him to be Child Turcotte Pugh class C with a MELD-Na of 33. During pre-transplant evaluation, a transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a mobile hypoechoic mass near the non-coronary leaflet, with resultant severe eccentric AR. Transesophageal echocardiogram confirmed a 10 × 4.5mm mobile vegetation on the left coronary cusp (AR PISA radius: 0.81cm and AR PISA volume: 52.29ml). Upon further workup, blood cultures were found to be positive for Streptococcus, likely disseminated from his tunneled internal jugular dialysis catheter. The patient was initiated on 6 weeks of IV Cefazolin with subsequent replacement of the hemodialysis catheter. The presence of severe AR was deemed prohibitive for transplantation, and he was assessed to be too high-risk for open cardiac valve repair. However, after presentation at a multi-disciplinary structural heart disease case conference, the treating team recommended an expanded access, compassionate use TAVR, usually performed for AS. FDA and Henry Ford IRB approval was obtained with completion of TAVR via transfemoral approach and resulting reduction of his severe AR to trivial AR. This novel technique has allowed the patient to potentially be re-listed for liver and kidney transplant. DISCUSSION: Our case displays the use of a multidisciplinary approach to determining a novel and minimally-invasive approach for repair of AR in a high-risk patient. Furthermore, correction of the patient’s AR has allowed for preservation of his transplant candidacy.

Safety and efficacy of placing internal jugular dialysis catheter tip in the inferior vena cava

To assess the efficacy and safety of placing the tip of the internal jugular (IJ) hemodialysis catheter in the inferior vena cava (IVC) in situations where it does not work well when placed in the right atrium. The medical records of chronic hemodialysis patients at an outpatient vascular intervention facility were retrospectively reviewed. Out of the 831 patients who had dialysis catheters exchanged over a 4-year period, 13 patients were identified who underwent catheter exchanges where the tip of the catheter was placed in the IVC via the IJ approach. These were all patients where the catheters had poor flows when placed in the right atrium earlier. Adequate flow (>350 mL/min) was achieved in all 13 cases with the catheter placed in the IVC with no significant complications. This study suggests that exchanging the catheter and placing the tip in the IVC is effective and safe in certain situations especially when the tip placement in the conventional position (i.e. the right atrium) does not work well.

Rare complication of a dialysis catheter insertion.

Insertion of a dialysis catheter is a very common procedure in renal medicine, which is associated with one or more complications in ∼15% of patients. Central venous catheter vascular erosion is a rare but serious complication, the incidence appears to be between 0.4 and 1% which can be difficult to diagnose, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a persistent left-sided superior vena cava (PLSVC) and a possible central venous catheter vascular erosion following insertion of a left-sided internal jugular dialysis catheter. We discuss the mechanisms, diagnosis and measures to limit vascular erosion and also briefly discuss PLSVC.

Transpulmonary thermodilution measurements are not affected by continuous veno-venous hemofiltration at high blood pump flow

To assess whether continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) with high blood pump flow alters the measurements of cardiac index (CI), global end-diastolic volume indexed (GEDVI), and extravascular lung water indexed (EVLWI) performed by transpulmonary thermodilution. Sixty-nine patients were included if they were monitored by a PiCCO2 device and received CVVH through a femoral (n = 62) or an internal jugular (n = 7) dialysis catheter. The blood pump flow was set at 250 mL/min (n = 31) or 350 mL/min (n = 38) and the filtration flow at 6,000 mL/h. A first set of data was collected with a first transpulmonary thermodilution (TD(on)). The blood pump was stopped and the continuous CI derived from pulse contour analysis was recorded (PC(off)). A second data set (TD(off)) was collected before and a last one (TD(on-last)) after restarting the blood pump. [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] , and [Formula: see text] were not significantly different in patients with a femoral dialysis catheter (3.49 ± 0.96, 3.51 ± 0.96, 3.51 ± 0.99, and 3.44 ± 1.00 L min(-1) m(-2), respectively). This was observed with a blood pump flow at 350 mL/min and at 250 mL/min. In these patients with a femoral dialysis catheter, GEDVI did not significantly change when the blood pump was stopped. EVLWI significantly decreased when the blood pump was stopped but to a non-clinically relevant extent (-0.3 ± 0.8 mL/kg). No significant changes in CI, GEDVI, and EVLWI were observed in patients with an internal jugular dialysis catheter over the study period. CVVH with a high blood flow pump does not alter the transpulmonary thermodilution measurements of CI, GEDVI, and EVLWI.

Critical Care Nephrology: Core Curriculum 2009

In the inpatient setting, a high proportion of nephrology consultations are requested for patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). These patients may have acute kidney injury (AKI) or may be critically ill and have end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Thus, nephrologists need to understand recent evidence-based advances in the field of critical care, as well as areas of ongoing controversy and investigation. In this article, we summarize the diagnosis and management of shock, as well as the management of sepsis, acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS), and fulminant hepatic failure, all of which are associated with high mortality in the critical care setting. We discuss infectious complications of critical care, including ventilator associated pneumonia and catheter related infections. Supportive care, including nutrition, insulin therapy and anemia management are reviewed. Dialysis considerations in critically ill patients are discussed. Lastly, we review the management of several life-threatening intoxications, many of which require early recognition and consideration of dialysis.

Time to Symptomatic Vascular Stenosis at Different Locations in Patients with Arteriovenous Grafts

Most arteriovenous grafts fail due to irreversible thrombosis, superimposed on hemodynamically significant vascular stenosis. Previous studies observed the highest frequency of stenosis at the venous anastomosis, without addressing the timing of stenosis. The present study quantified time to symptomatic stenosis at different vascular locations, and related it to permanent graft failure. A prospective computerized vascular access database was queried retrospectively to identify 309 hemodialysis patients receiving new upper extremity grafts during a 4-year period at a large dialysis center. For each vascular site we calculated the time to symptomatic stenosis using survival techniques. The cumulative likelihood of symptomatic stenosis at 2 years was 67% for venous anastomotic stenosis, 19% for intra-graft stenosis, 16% for venous outlet stenosis, 13% for central vein stenosis, and 5% for arterial anastomotic stenosis. The cumulative risk of graft failure at 2 years was 40%. Stenosis at the venous anastomosis was twice as likely as cumulative graft failure (hazard ratio [HR] 1.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65-2.52, p < 0.001). In contrast, intra-graft stenosis was half as likely as cumulative graft failure (HR 0.45; 95% CI, 0.36-0.61, p < 0.001). Central vein stenosis was more likely in patients with a previous ipsilateral catheter compared with those without one (HR 2.40; 95% CI, 1.39-5.58, p = 0.004). Symptomatic stenosis occurs much earlier at the venous anastomosis compared with other vascular sites. Moreover, preexisting ipsilateral internal jugular dialysis catheters more than double the risk of central vein stenosis.

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

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. 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. 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. 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.

Venography at insertion of tunnelled internal jugular vein dialysis catheters reveals significant occult stenosis.

Tunnelled catheters are widely used to provide vascular access for haemodialysis. Percutaneous insertion of these catheters requires large calibre tissue dilators with the potential to cause trauma to central veins, particularly if anatomical abnormalities are present. We evaluated the use of venography to identify central vein anatomical abnormalities in 69 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous placement of tunnelled right internal jugular vein catheters. The internal jugular vein was entered under ultrasound guidance and venography was performed prior to insertion of a guide-wire. Images were evaluated on-screen by the operator and a decision made regarding the need for additional fluoroscopy during insertion of the catheter. In 29 cases (42%), venography showed evidence of unexpected stenosis and/or angulation of the central veins of sufficient severity to warrant additional fluoroscopy during insertion of the dilators, or abandonment of the procedure. Patients who had previously had tunnelled internal jugular catheters had more than double the incidence of such abnormalities than those who had not [15/23 (65%) vs 14/46 (30%); P = 0.009]. In two patients the procedure was abandoned due to severe stenosis. No patient suffered central vein trauma or pneumothorax. There were no adverse reactions to contrast injection. Venography performed immediately prior to tunnelled internal jugular dialysis catheter insertion detects unexpected, clinically significant anatomical abnormalities of the central veins in a substantial proportion of patients, particularly those with a history of previous tunnelled catheter insertion. We suggest that the use of venography may help to minimize the risk of complications from this procedure.

Superior vena caval obstruction following central venous cannulation

A 42-year-old woman presented with end-stage renal failure secondary to reflux nephropathy in 1998. She was treated with haemodialysis after a brief attempt at peritoneal dialysis. Unfortunately, because of problems with arteriovenous fistulae, multiple central venous cannulations were required for dialysis. In June 2002, she presented with sudden onset facial swelling and distended veins over her chest wall. A computed tomogram of the thorax showed right subclavian vein thrombosis, extension of the thrombus along the right internal jugular dialysis catheter and partial obstruction of the superior vena cava. Despite adequate anticoagulation, her facial swelling worsened and she became short of breath over the next few weeks. An internal jugular venogram showed complete occlusion of the mid-superior vena cava (Figure 1). Venous drainage occurred via the azygous vein and the left superior intercostal vein (through the hemi-azygous system) into the inferior vena cava infradiaphragmatically. While awaiting surgery, she suffered a respiratory arrest and died.

Complications associated with insertion of jugular venous catheters for hemodialysis: The value of postprocedural radiograph

It is routine in hemodialysis units to require a chest radiograph after the insertion of an internal jugular line for venous access before dialysis is commenced. There are two principal reasons for this: (1) to ensure that no procedural complications have occurred and (2) to verify correct catheter placement. Knowledge of the time delay involved may prompt nephrologists to opt for femoral access (with increased hemodialysis recirculation and need for repeated line placement). The benefit of the postprocedural chest radiograph has never been evaluated in the hemodialysis population. We retrospectively reviewed the data on internal jugular access placement from two large nephrology training centers. Over a 36-month period, 460 internal jugular dialysis catheters were placed in 312 patients. Wherever possible, 15-cm lines were used for the left internal jugular vein and 12-cm lines for the right internal jugular vein. Ultrasound guidance was used in 105 cases (22.8%). There were a total of 90 (19.6%) clinical complications in 62 patients (13.5%) These consisted of carotid artery puncture (n = 35, 7.6%) and hematoma (n = 55, 12%). All of these patients had a normal post-internal jugular chest radiograph. Carotid artery puncture did not occur if ultrasound guidance was used. There was no case of associated pneumothorax. Of the 370 line insertions in 250 patients in whom it was believed clinically that no complication had occurred, the chest radiograph only showed unsuspected line malposition in four cases (1.08%). Routine chest radiographs rarely contribute to the diagnosis of any procedural complications and are of little value after internal jugular access placement, especially if it is believed clinically that no complication occurred.