Applications and complications of subclavian vein catheterization for hemodialysis

To study the indications, complications and duration of 605 subclavian catheters inserted over a period of 4 years as venous access for the management of renal failure in local setup.

Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Hemodialysis section, Department of Urology and Kidney Transplantation, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. The study was conducted from October, 1998 to July, 2002.

All patients coming for dialysis during the period of October 1998 to July 2002 were included information noted on specific form.

Among the patients who underwent subclavian vein catheterization, 75.2% patients were suffering from chronic renal failure and 24.7% patients were admitted for acute renal failure. Among chronic renal failure patients, 21.9% catheters had to be replaced due to various complications e.g. thrombosis, infection or kinking of the catheter. The subclavian catheters remained in place for a mean duration of 4 weeks. Early complications encountered were arterial puncture, inability to cannulate the innominate vein, hemothorax, puncture of thoracic duct, hemomediastinum, arrhythmias and pulmonary hematoma in 10.7%, 16.5%, 0.5%, 0.2%, 0.6% and 0.2% of patients respectively. Mortality attributed to the procedure occurred in 0.1 % cases. Delayed complications included early infection in 15% catheterizations while delayed infection occurred in 39 % cases.

Percutaneous subclavian catheterization is valuable, relatively easy to learn and safe method with acceptable rate of complications for patients necessitating hemodialysis and no established permanent vascular access.