Transhepatic hemodialysis catheters: functional outcome and comparison between early and late failure

To describe the authors' experience with transhepatic placement of catheters, highlighting early and late complications, and to determine if this procedure is a viable option in patients in whom central venous occlusions present a significant challenge.

The records of all the patients who underwent placement of transhepatic hemodialysis from January 2003 to October 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Selected patients were dialysis-dependent, having undergone multiple access procedures and revisions. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate primary and secondary patency.

Twenty-two patients (mean age 42 years, range 22-70 years, 59% women) underwent a total of 127 transhepatic catheter placements at 24 transhepatic access sites; technical success was achieved in all cases. There were no hepatic injuries (bleeding or fistula formation). There were 105 exchanges in 14 patients, with a mean of 7.5 exchanges, a median of 5 exchanges (range 1-18 exchanges), and a catheter migration rate of 0.39 per 100 catheter-days. The sepsis rate was 0.22 per 100 catheter-days, and the catheter thrombosis rate was 0.18 per 100 catheter-days. The mean cumulative catheter duration in situ was 506.2 days, and the mean time catheter in situ was 87.7 days. The mean total access site interval was 1,046 catheter-days (range of 423-1,413 catheter-days).

Transhepatic hemodialysis catheter placement is associated with low rates of morbidity. In this series, transhepatic catheters provided the possibility of long-term functionality, despite associated high rates of catheter-related maintenance, provides a potentially viable access for patients with exhausted access options.