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Long-term vascular access via the inferior vena cava
1Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021.
Journal of Surgical Oncology
|March 1, 1991
Summary
The infraumbilical approach for long-term central venous access catheters is safe and effective. This method offers a viable alternative when the conventional supraumbilical route is challenging, demonstrating comparable outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Interventional Radiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Long-term central venous access is crucial for various medical treatments.
- Conventional supraumbilical catheter placement can be difficult or contraindicated in some patients.
- Evaluating alternative venous access routes is essential for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate the efficacy and morbidity of long-term central venous access catheters placed via the inferior vena cava (IVC) using an infraumbilical approach.
- To compare the outcomes of infraumbilical IVC catheterization with the supraumbilical approach.
Main Methods:
- Prospective evaluation of 31 catheters placed in 26 patients between June 1987 and May 1989.
- Catheters were placed via an infraumbilical approach when the supraumbilical route was not feasible.
- Data collected on catheter use days, complications, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- A total of 3,503 catheter use days were recorded.
- 14 complications occurred in 12 episodes (1 per 701 catheter use days).
- Complications included catheter occlusion/thrombosis, malfunction, cuff erosion, and migration.
Conclusions:
- The infraumbilical approach for long-term central venous access via the IVC is safe and technically straightforward.
- This method is a valuable alternative for patients with difficult or high-failure risk supraumbilical access.
- The complication rates were comparable to those of the supraumbilical approach.