[Venous thrombosis after catheterization of the subclavian vein for hemodialysis].

The authors report six cases of subclavian vein thrombosis after transcutaneous catheterization in a group of 70 patients treated by periodical haemodialysis over a 7-year period in a Nephrology department at Casablanca. The subclavian vein has become the favourite access route in most haemodialysis centres because it can be utilized for a longer time, carries a lower risk of infection and is more comfortable for the patient than the other routes. Two main factors facilitate the occurrence of thrombosis: a long duration of catheter insertion and repeated catheterizations.