Femoral vascular access for large-volume collection of peripheral blood progenitor cells

Central venous catheters are used frequently in large-volume leukapheresis to provide high flow rates for peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) collection. In a retrospective study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of short-term use of large-bore femoral venous catheters for the collection of PBPCs in 63 patients with hematologic and solid organ malignancies. All catheters were placed in an outpatient setting on the day of apheresis and remained in site if subsequent collections became necessary. A total of 101 procedures were performed. Thirty-five patients (56%) reached target levels after 1 collection. Twenty-four patients (38%) had 2 consecutive day collections while 4 patients (6%) required more than 2 collections. In this latter group, 2 patients did not have consecutive day collections. One had 2 consecutive day collections followed by a third collection 48 hours later. In the other, leukapheresis was performed for 2 consecutive days and then resumed 3 days later with 2 subsequent collections. The longest duration the catheter remained in site was 6 days. Catheter care was provided by the apheresis staff. All patients who had more than 1 collection were given instructions on how to care for their catheters at home. Only 1 patient had oozing at the catheter site during the collection. Thrombosis, mechanical, and infectious complications were not encountered. The short-term use of femoral venous catheters appears safe and effective for the collection of PBPCs.