Right atrial catheters for long-term venous access.

Thirty-two Hickman central venous catheters were placed in patients suffering mainly from blood disorders. The catheters remained in situ for an average of 64 days. In 20 patients the catheters were removed either because they were no longer needed (14) or at death (6). In five patients they are still in position. Complications in seven patients led to the catheter being removed and these included four patients with catheter related sepsis. The use of these catheters allows safe long-term access to the venous circulation even in the neutropenic, immunosuppressed patient.