The journal of vascular access
-
Patency of the left superior vena cava (persistent left superior vena cava--PLSVC), although uncommon, is the most frequent anomaly of the thoracic vessels. It has been diagnosed in 0.3-0.5% of the general population. ⋯ We present the case of a 50-year-old HD patient in which the placement of a catheter through the left internal jugular vein, needed for HD treatment, revealed a PLSVC. After the demonstration of adequate draining of the vessel into the right atrium, replacement of this catheter for a cuffed tunneled HD catheter was done, which has since been used successfully for HD.
-
Vascular access catheters such as Tesio-Caths are preferentially inserted in the internal jugular vein and serve as access for hemodialysis. Complications related to the removal of these types of lines are uncommon. ⋯ Although there is no defined limit to the maximum length of stay of vascular access catheters for dialysis, the possibility of catheter entrapment should be considered. It remains to be determined whether removing Tesio-Caths every 16- 18 months is beneficial in avoiding this complication.
-
Case Reports
Revision using distal inflow for treatment of heart failure secondary to arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis.
In patients on hemodialysis, cardiovascular disease can be precipitated or worsened by the presence of a high flow arteriovenous fistula. Fistula closure and banding are the traditional treatment methods of dialysis associated high output cardiac failure. We present a case of fistula-related high output cardiac failure treated by revision using distal inflow (RUDI).
-
Catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and is a source of significant healthcare expenditures in patients that require central venous catheters for intravenous nutrition, chemotherapy, and other products. The source of many catheter-related infections is contamination of the catheter hub. Herein an antimicrobial catheter cap, the AB Cap is described. ⋯ An antimicrobial catheter cap is not a complete substitute for a proper catheter cleaning technique and other anti-infection precautions. However, we describe a unique catheter cap that significantly decreased the likelihood of a catheter-related infection from a non-cleaned cap in an in vitro model.