[Vascular access in immunomodulation by apheresis]

Since 1982, we realized 2538 apheresis sessions in 142 different patients. We analyzed the vascular access of these patients. According to the estimate number of sessions we divided this population in 6 groups: group I: less than 5 sessions = femoral vein catheter, group II: subclavian vein catheter less than 5 sessions; group III: 6 to 21 sessions with same catheter, group IV: internal jugular vein catheter (IJVC) for same session number, group V: patients on IJVC undergoins more than 21 session or treated during more than 3 months, group VI long term treated patients with arterio-venous fistula. We analyse the number of patients in each groups, the mean number of session and the absolute number of recorded adverse events such as local of systemic infection, clotting, catheter dysfunction. Results are as follow: [table: see text] Our study shows clearly the advantage of IJVC compared to either subclavian way in middle duration apheresis as in long term when compared to arterio venous fistula.