FEMORAL SILICONE CATHETER - EXPERIENCE OF 3 DIALYSIS CENTERS

The use of femoral vein for temporary access in hemodialysis patients is still considered as a slightly desirable route. However recent tech nical improvements have made this approach more reliable because the n ew femoral catheters can be left in place for a long time and used for ambulatory treatment. We describe the experience of three hemodialysi s centres with temporary indwelling femoral catheter made of silicone (SSL 1220 M, Medcomp) in 55 patients. 3 patients with acute renal fail ure, 1 requiring plasmapheresis and 51 with chronic renal failure but no other available vascular access. Sixty four catheters were implante d and left in place for a mean of 41,5 +/- 30 days. Complications (mec hanical, thrombotic and infectious) were infrequent and never life-thr eatening. These results suggest that the femoral route can be used rel iably for temporary access, and provides advantages over subclavian an d jugular routes in certain circumstances.