Successful use of a right atrial catheter for hemodialysis
Negoi, D.; Schmaltz, R.; Misra, M.
American Journal of the Medical Sciences 329(2): 104-106
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9629 PMID: 15711429 Document Number: 593207
Maintenance of patent hemodialysis access is a major issue in the chronic dialysis population. Patients on chronic hemodialysis are at risk of progressive loss of possible sites for permanent vascular access. This issue becomes increasingly important in patients who are not suitable candidates for any other mode of renal replacement therapy for a variety of clinical reasons. When all conventional access sites are exhausted, a creative approach is often needed to establish an alternative vascular access for dialysis to maintain life. We report the placement of a tunneled dialysis catheter in the right atrium in such a patient. After 14 months, this catheter is still being used to deliver hemodialysis without any complications.