Central venous haemodialysis catheter insertion. Is there any difference to the insertion of central venous catheters for other use?

• Published in: Hellenic journal of surgery Vol. 83; no. 3; pp. 121 - 125
• Main Authors: Kotsikoris, I., Zygomalas, A., Tzorbatzoglou, I., Nikolaou, A., Tsiantoula, P., Papas, Th, Maras, D., Pavlidis, P., Bessias, N., Alivizatos, V., Andrikopoulos, V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer Vienna 01-06-2011
• Subjects: Clinical Study; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Surgery; Central venous catheter; Haemodialysis catheter
• ISSN: 0018-0092; 1868-8845
• DOI: 10.1007/s13126-011-0025-2

Background-Aim
Central venous catheters (CVC) can be used for mid and long-term venous access allowing administration, monitoring and haemodialysis. The objective of our study is to compare the complications from the insertion of dialysis CVC to those arising from insertion of CVC for other use.
Materials and Methods
We retrospectively evaluated the positioning of 285 dual lumen 12Fr CVCs for haemodialysis [Group P1] and 520 three lumen 6Fr catheters [Group P2] from January 2008 to February 2010. All CVCs were positioned by our vascular access team. We compared vein selection, efficacy in positioning, early and late complications.
Results
In both groups, the subclavian vein was principally chosen for catheterization. Positioning failed in 7 patients group (P1), while in P2 all CVCs were positioned successfully. Early complications presented in 9 patients from group (P1) (3.1%) and in 12 from group P2 (2.3%). In group P1, 4 cases of CVC-related infection were reported for every 1000 days of use as opposed to 15 cases in group P2.
Conclusions
The diverse types of CVC devices involve comparable rates of complications; although the larger diameter of dialysis catheters reduces the risk of malposition, it increases the rate of site injuries. Fewer late complications were reported for dialysis catheters, which may be attributed to their highly specialized use.