Unusual clot formation following insertion of central double lumen catheter for hemodialysis

We report a case of a patient with chronic renal failure (CRF) due to fibrillary glomerulonephritis, who was admitted to our Hospital with fever accompanied by chills, of two days duration. Due to aggravation of his CRF, accompanied by severe metabolic acidosis, an internal jugular double lumen central vein catheter was inserted, through which he was hemodialyzed.

Blood cultures were negative. The catheter was removed and the tip was cultured; it revealed colonization with hemolytic Staphylococcus sensitive to vancomycin and metilmycin. They were both given to the patient with excellent results. Trans-thoracic and trans-esophageal echocardiography revealed a clot in the right atrium with an abnormal circumference, connected to the tip of the second catheter. Anticoagulants were administered (calsium nadroparin, converted seven days later to acenocoumarol) and the size of the clot was significantly reduced.

The case is presented in order to prove the significant contribution of trans-esophageal echocardiography as a non-invasive imaging technique for the detection of a clot in the right atrium and the impressive influence of appropriate therapeutic management in saving the patient's life and reducing the clot size.

The trans-esophageal echocardiogram provides invaluable information concerning the evolution, development and regression of right atrium clots formed at the tip of jugular catheters.