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Endovascular intervention for central venous cannulation in patients with vascular occlusion after previous
Andreas Pikwer1, Stefan Acosta, Tilo Kölbel
1Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. andreas.pikwer@med.lu.se
Insights
Endovascular intervention effectively manages central venous occlusion in patients with a history of multiple catheterizations, particularly those undergoing hemodialysis. This approach is recommended for patients needing central venous access with confirmed occlusions.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Interventional Radiology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Central venous occlusion (CVO) is a significant complication of repeated catheterizations.
- Patients requiring long-term central venous access, especially for hemodialysis, are at higher risk.
- CVO can impede future access and treatment options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of endovascular intervention for treating central venous occlusion.
- To assess outcomes in patients with CVO following previous catheterizations.
- To identify patient characteristics associated with CVO.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of a regional endovascular database.
- Inclusion of 16 patients with CVO referred for endovascular management over 42 months.
- Review of patient records, angiograms, and radiographic reports, including CT and MRT venography.
Main Results:
- The study included 16 patients (11 female, median age 48) with a history of multiple central venous catheterizations.
- Hemodialysis patients had fewer catheters inserted pre-intervention compared to nutritional support patients.
- Various endovascular techniques were employed, including recanalization, angioplasty, and stenting, or cannulation via alternative routes.
Conclusions:
- Central venous occlusion is prevalent in hemodialysis patients with extensive catheter use.
- Endovascular intervention is a viable option for patients with CVO needing central venous access.
- CT or MRT venography can verify CVO, guiding referral for endovascular treatment.
Objectives:
This study was designed to assess endovascular intervention for central venous cannulation in patients with vascular occlusion after previous catheterization.
Methods:
Patients referred for endovascular management of central venous occlusion during a 42-month period were identified from a regional endovascular database, providing prospective information on techniques and clinical outcome. Corresponding patient records, angiograms, and radiographic reports were analyzed retrospectively.
Results:
Sixteen patients aged 48 years (range 0.5-76), including 11 females, were included. All patients but 1 had had multiple central venous catheters with a median total indwelling time of 37 months. Eleven patients cannulated for hemodialysis had had significantly fewer individual catheters inserted compared with 5 patients cannulated for nutritional support (mean 3.6 vs. 10.2, p<0.001) before endovascular intervention. Preoperative imaging by magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) in 8 patients, computed tomography (CT) venography in 3, conventional angiography in 6, and/or ultrasonography in 8, verified 15 brachiocephalic, 13 internal jugular, 3 superior caval, and/or 3 subclavian venous occlusions. Patients were subjected to recanalization (n=2), recanalization and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (n=5), or stenting for vena cava superior syndrome (n=1) prior to catheter insertion. The remaining 8 patients were cannulated by avoiding the occluded route.
Conclusions:
Central venous occlusion occurs particularly in patients under hemodialysis and with a history of multiple central venous catheterizations with large-diameter catheters and/or long total indwelling time periods. Patients with central venous occlusion verified by CT or MRT venography and need for central venous access should be referred for endovascular intervention.
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