Implantation of Permanent Jugular Catheters in Patients on Regular Dialysis Treatment: Ten Years’ Experience

Dual-lumen cuffed central venous catheter proved an important alternative vascular access compared to conventional arteriovenous (Cimino-Brescia) shunt in a selected group of patients on regular dialysis treatment. Typically, these catheters are used as bridging access, until fistula or graft is ready for use, or as permanent access when an arteriovenous fistula or graft is not planned (NKF-DOQI).

We conducted a prospective study on IJV permanent catheter insertion and its related earlier and long-term complications. From February 1991 to February 2001 we inserted in 124 patients in end stage renal disease 135 cuffed catheters (130 in the right IJV and 5 in the left IJV), 92 of which were Permcath, 27 Vascath, and 16 Ash-Split. We performed the insertion of catheters by puncturing the IJV under ultrasonographic guidance in the lower side of the Sedillot triangle and checking the accurate position of the tip by endocavitary electrocardiography (EC-ECG). The duration of catheter use was from 60 to 1460 days, mean 345 days. The actuarial survival rate at 1 year was 82%, at 2 years 56%, at 3 years 42% and at 4 years 20%. The exit site infection and septicemia rates were 5.2 and 2.86 per 1000 catheter days respectively. Catheter sepsis was implicated in the death of three patients, all of whom had multiple medical problems. Several episodes of thrombosis (6% of dialyses) occurred which required urokinase treatment, and catheter replacement in 12 patients (9.6%). In 3 cases the catheters were displaced and correct repositioning was performed. Two catheters (Ash-Split) were replaced due to accidental damage of the external portion of catheters (alcoholic disinfectant). Catheter tip embolism occurred on one occasion during elective catheter exchange over guide-wire.

One of the common problems encountered with cuffed tunneled catheters is poor blood flow, most often secondary to the formation of a fibrin sheath around the lumen. Even if we conducted a non-randomized study, in our experience, the higher rate of malfunctioning catheters was in the group with no anticoagulation therapy. Therefore, we suggest anticoagulation treatment in all patients wearing central vascular catheters with no contraindication. Just one year ago, we followed NKF-DOQI clinical practice guidelines for vascular access that indicated that for patients who have a primary AV fistula maturing, but need immediate hemodialysis, tunneled cuffed catheters are the access of choice and the preferred insertion site is the right IJV. Considering recent reports of permanent central venous stenosis or occlusion after IJV cannulation, currently, our first choice is femoral vein cannulation with smooth silicone rubber catheters, tunneled if long-term utilization is needed (more the 3–4 weeks). In our opinion, the right IJV puncture is to be avoided as much as the venipuncture of arm veins suitable for vascular access placement, particularly the cephalic vein of the non-dominant arm. Our data confirm that permanent venous catheters might represent an effective long-term vascular access for chronic hemodialysis, particularly for older patients with cardiovascular disease and for cancer patients.