US-guided placement of central vein catheters in patients with disorders of hemostasis

To prospectively evaluate the technical success and immediate complication rates of temporary central catheter placement in a homogenous patient population with disorders of hemostasis.

One hundred and thirty three temporary central vein catheters inserted under ultrasound guidance in 119 patients with bleeding disorders were analyzed over a 4-year period. Patients were males (n=51; 43%) and females (n=68; 57%) with a mean age of 56.6 years (age range 18-95 years). A catheter was inserted in IJV in 129 (97%) procedures, subclavian vein in 2 (1.5%) procedures and femoral vein in 2 (1,5%) procedures. Thirty-three (24.8%) procedures were performed on bedside. Of 119 patients, 106 (89%) had only one catheter placement and the rest had had more than one catheter placement (range 1-3).

Technical success was achieved in all patients (100%). Average number of puncture was 1.01 (range 1-2). One hundred and nineteen insertions (89.5%) were single-wall punctures, whereas 14 insertions were double-wall punctures. Eight (6%) minor complications occurred including oozing of blood around the catheter in five (3.8%) procedures, small hematoma in two (1.5%) procedure and both in one patient. There was no inadvertent arterial puncture or major complications like hemothorax or pneumothorax in any patients.

US-guided placement of central vein catheters in patients with disorder of hemostasis is safe with high technical success and low complication rates. US guidance for central venous catheterization should be the preferred method in this group of patients, if available in the hospital setting.