Seminars in dialysis
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Seminars in dialysis · Jul 2005
Case ReportsRetrieval of a fractured piece of Tessio catheter with a snare using a transcutaneous transvenous approach.
Approximately 20% of end-stage renal disease patients requiring hemodialysis have central dialysis catheters as their vascular access. The major cause of central dialysis catheters removal or revision is infection or occlusion. Catheter occlusions may occur as a result of thrombosis or fibrin sheath formation. ⋯ Herein we present the case of a central dialysis catheter referred to us for malfunction. An incidental finding was a piece of catheter that had broken off the venous port and was seen in the right atrium. The retrieval and subsequent placement of a new central dialysis catheter are outlined.