INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGIC PLACEMENT OF HOHN CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERS - RESULTS AND COMPLICATIONS IN 100 CONSECUTIVE PATIENTS

PURPOSE: Hohn catheters are single- or double-lumen catheters used for intermediate-length central venous access. The authors report their t echnique, results, and long-term follow-up in a prospective study of t heir first 100 consecutive patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Indications for Hohn subclavian catheter placement included chemotherapy in 53%, antibiotic therapy in 30%, and total parenteral nutrition in 8%. Patie nts' ages ranged from 21 to 82 years, and 80% of catheters were placed in inpatients. Hohn catheters were placed with fluoroscopic and/or ul trasound guidance. Patients were followed up for the duration of the s tudy or until their catheters were removed. RESULTS: The technical suc cess rate for catheter placement was 100%. No major procedural complic ations occurred. Duration of catheter placement varied between 5 and 2 76 days (mean, 70 days). The catheter infection rate was 8%, which cor responds to 1.1 infections per 1,000 catheter days. Catheter thrombosi s occurred in nine cases (9%) and was successfully treated with urokin ase in six of these nine. Subclavian vein thrombosis occurred in 3% of patients. CONCLUSION: Technical success, complication, and long-term patency rates for the Hohn catheter are comparable to or better than t hose in most surgical series involving tunneled external catheters. Th e Hohn catheter is an excellent alternative for intermediate-length ce ntral venous access. Hohn subclavian catheter placement has become a s tandard part of the authors' interventional radiology service and is e asily adaptable to all interventional practices.