Superiority of the internal jugular over the subclavian access for temporary dialysis

We studied angiographically the access route 1-27 months after the insertion temporary dialysis catheters in 52 patients: 32 subclavian and 20 internal jugular. The two groups were statistically similar with respect to age, sex and race. The subclavian catheters were left in for a mean of 11.5 days (2-22) while the internal jugular ones were inserted for 15.8 days (5-25; p = 0.0015). One hundred percent of the internal jugular patients were free of any venogram abnormalities in their venous access return. In marked contrast, 50% of the subclavian sites had mild to severe stricutures with 90% having 70-100% occlusion of the subclavian vein. Six patients had bilateral severe strictures. The long-term stricture rate of subclavian catheters in the subclavian vein was unacceptably high compared to the internal jugular route.