TRANSLUMBAR INFERIOR VENA-CAVA CATHETER FOR LONG-TERM HEMODIALYSIS

Vascular access failure is a major cause of morbidity and even mortali ty in patients on chronic hemodialysis. The failure of conventional va scular access and thrombosis of the superior vena cava in a patient wi th ESRD was successfully treated by the percutaneous insertion of a he modialysis catheter directly into the inferior vena cava. The translum bar access to the inferior vena cava has been used successfully in bon e marrow transplant recipients and may also be used as a last choice f or long-term hemodialysis when conventional access is difficult.