Percutaneous catheterization of the internal jugular vein for hemodialysis

The present study was aimed at evaluating the clinical experiences in the internal jugular venous catheterization for hemodialysis.

We retrospectively analyzed the data on internal jugular venous catheterization at Chonnam National University Hospital from May 2000 to February 2001.

There were 132 uremic patients with a total of 150 attempts of internal jugular cannulation. Overall success rate was 90.9% with average puncture trials of 2.3 +/- 2.1. 124 (82.7%) of the catheterization attempts were made on the right side and 26 (17.3%) were made on the left. The catheters were left in place from 2 to 87 days with an average of 19.5 +/- 15.3 days per catheter. The dialysis sessions per catheter were from 2 to 58 with an average of 11.3 +/- 6.8. The mean blood flow during hemodialysis immediately after catheterization was 213.4 +/- 42.2 ml/min. Thirty two (21.3%) patients had early complications. These included carotid artery puncture (11.3%), local bleeding (4.7%), local pain (3.3%), neck hematoma (0.7%) and malposition of the catheter (1.3%). Seventeen (11.3%) patients had late complications. These included fever or infection (11.3%), inadequate blood flow rate (3.3%) and inadvertent withdrawal (2.0%). There was no catheter-related mortality.

Our experiences revealed that the internal jugular vein catheterization is relatively safe and efficient for temporary vascular access for hemodialysis.