Translumbar inferior vena cava catheter for long-term hemodialysis.

Vascular access failure is a major cause of morbidity and even mortality in patients on chronic hemodialysis. The failure of conventional vascular access and thrombosis of the superior vena cava in a patient with ESRD was successfully treated by the percutaneous insertion of a hemodialysis catheter directly into the inferior vena cava. The translumbar access to the inferior vena cava has been used successfully in bone marrow transplant recipients and may also be used as a last choice for long-term hemodialysis when conventional access is difficult.