Complications of Permanent Hemodialysis Catheter Placement; Need for Better Pre-Implantation Algorithm?

There is a correlation between central venous cannulation and the development of central venous stenosis. Minor retrosternal vein lesions can be easily missed. Computerized tomographic (CT) venography is the diagnostic procedure of choice. The aim of this study was to examine the complications after catheter implantation in patients with prior permanent catheter placement and to evaluate present diagnostic procedures performed prior to choosing permanent access site in order to reduce possible complications after catheter placement. Complications of permanent CVC insertion in our department were analyzed between October 2011 and February 2015. We have implanted the Tesio twin catheter system and the Hickman Bard dual lumen catheter. All patients with prior permanent dialysis catheter were evaluated with color doppler, while patients with suspected central venous stenosis (CVS) or thrombosis were evaluated with phlebography or CT venography prior to catheter placement. One hundred and ninety-eight permanent dialysis catheters were placed (173 Tesio [87.4%] and 25 Hickman [12.6%]) in 163 patients. There were 125 patients (76.7%) with prior temporary catheter and 61 (48.8%) of them had more than one prior permanent catheter (1.92 catheter per person).There were 4/61 (6.5%) patients with catheter-related complications without prior phlebography and CT venography. Phlebography and CT venography were performed in 30 (24.0%) patients with suspected CVS/thrombosis and with dialysis vintage of 76.23 months (52.78-98.28). Phlebography and CT venography were more sensitive than color doppler in the detection of CVS/thrombosis in patients with prior permanent catheter placements (P < 0.001). Since this diagnostic algorithm was introduced prior to catheter placement there were no catheter insertion-related complications or dysfunctions (P < 0.001). All our procedures on patients with prior permanent catheters followed preliminary color doppler diagnostics. Nevertheless, in four cases, the vessel obstruction and abnormality led to catheter insertion-related complications. When phlebography and CT venography was performed before the procedure in patients with prior permanent catheters and one or more CVS or thrombosis, early and late catheter-related complications were avoided by careful selection of the least injured vein and planning of procedure. When planning a permanent dialysis catheter placement in patients with prior multiple CVC, phlebography and CT venography may be diagnostic procedures of choice for avoidance of early catheter dysfunction and CVC placement complications.