[Arteriovenous fistula complicating central venous catheterization]

Iatrogenic fistulae are sporadic but potentially serious complications of catheterization of central veins. The authors present the case-history of a 57-year-old patient with chronic renal failure where after 19 months following temporary insertion of a central venous catheter into the subclavian vein on the right from and infraclavicular approach a continual murmur was recorded in the right subclavicular area, along with increasing manifestations of left-sided cardiac insufficiency. Using digital subtraction angiography, the authors diagnosed an arteriovenous fistula between the internal thoracic artery and the right brachiocephalic vein. The described case draws attention to a rare complication of catheterization of the central veins and its possible haemodynamic sequelae.