[Tunneled jugular catheters in chronic hemodialysis: report from a Center apropos of 101 cases]

Abstract

Since 1984, internal jugular vein cannulation (I.J.V.C.) was performed in our Center for ESRD patients. 202 catheters were implanted in 79 patients. Our population was divided in 2 groups: group I corresponding to a rescue procedure for the chronic vascular access failure, group II corresponding to chronic implantation. Outcome analysis indicate the follows results: in both groups, the first I.J.V.C. withdrawal cause was a functional AV fistula. Infections were observed only in group II. Thrombosis is not infrequent requiring fibrinolytic drugs with a 54 FF per patient year additive cost. A special nurse training protocol is also required to reduce the thrombosis incidence. Accidental withdrawal occurred in 11% cases of group II. This observation underlines the need of better fixation devices.