Inadvertent insertion of dialysis catheter into subclavian artery treated with a covered stent: A case report

When inserting central venous catheters, inadvertent injury of major vessels is a rare yet critical complication. Direct surgery is sometimes overly invasive. This report describes a subclavian artery injury caused by inadvertent cannulation of a dialysis catheter, successfully treated with a covered stent.

An 82-year-old woman with acute renal failure due to sepsis required emergency dialysis. During the insertion of a 12-Fr dialysis catheter into the right jugular vein, pulsatile reflux was noted. Computed tomography revealed catheter misplacement in the subclavian artery. Considering the patient's fragility, endovascular repair was performed. After embolization of side branches, a GORE VIABAHN stentgraft was delivered using a pull-through technique and deployed to seal the injury site. The patient was discharged without neurological or vascular complications.

Covered stents offer an effective solution for major vessel injuries requiring immediate hemostasis, particularly when direct surgery is complicated by underlying medical or anatomical conditions.