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Inferior vena cava thrombosis due to an indwelling hemodialysis catheter
S F Gouge1, W D Paulson, J Moore
1Department of Medicine, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307-5001.
Insights
Indwelling hemodialysis catheters can cause venous thrombosis. A rare case of inferior vena cava thrombus highlights the potential for fatal pulmonary embolism in hemodialysis patients.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Traditional angioaccess failure in hemodialysis patients often necessitates indwelling venous catheters.
- Subclavian vein thrombosis is a known complication of these catheters, typically asymptomatic.
Observation:
- This report details a case of thrombus formation in the inferior vena cava associated with an indwelling hemodialysis catheter.
Findings:
- Inferior vena cava thrombosis, while rare, presents a significant risk for potentially fatal pulmonary embolism.
- This contrasts with the generally asymptomatic nature of subclavian vein thromboses from similar devices.
Implications:
- Highlights the need for vigilance regarding catheter-related thrombosis in the inferior vena cava.
- Suggests potential for severe embolic events, necessitating careful patient monitoring and management strategies.
Abstract:
Various indwelling venous catheters have been used in hemodialysis patients after failure of traditional angioaccess. Thrombosis of the subclavian vein occurs with these cannulae and is usually asymptomatic. Such thromboses rarely cause significant pulmonary embolism. We describe a thrombus in the inferior vena cava due to an indwelling hemodialysis catheter, a site with potential for fatal pulmonary embolism.