Central catheters for hemodialysis: a six month experience of 103 catheters.

UNLABELLED: A prospective study was done during a six-month period to evaluate number, function, difficulties of placement and immediate and late complications of central venous catheters for hemodialysis. One hundred and three catheters were placed, 78 double lumen and 25 single lumen, using Seldinger technique. The places of implantation were: right subclavian in 79, left subclavian in 13, right jugular in 8 and 3 in the right femoral vein; 62 were first catheters. We needed a mean of 2 punctures to enter the goal vein, and in 4 the place of implantation had to be changed. Catheters remained in place for a mean of 21 days. Six catheters were lost to follow-up. Immediate complications were 2 hemothorax, 3 punctures of the artery and 3 malpositioned catheters. Late complications were 12 local infections, 7 associated with sepsis. Twenty catheters occluded but removal was only necessary in 10. There was no statistic difference in incidence of complications between single lumen and double lumen catheters (X2).

CONCLUSIONS

1. Percutaneous central venous catheters is a simple and safe technique to obtain temporary vascular access for hemodialysis. 2. Double lumen catheters have no higher rate of complications than single lumen.