DOUBLE CATHETERIZATION OF THE INTERNAL JUGULAR-VEIN FOR HEMODIALYSIS - INDICATIONS, TECHNIQUES, AND CLINICAL-RESULTS

Central vascular catheters are used to access the central vascular sys tem in both acute and chronic uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis. Among different approaches, the internal jugular vein seems to have l ess adverse effects. We describe our long-term experience with a two-c atheter system. Percutaneous jugular vein cannulation was performed us ing Medcomp silicone rubber catheters. The study included 108 patients undergoing hemodialysis. One- and 2-year survival was 93 and 91%, res pectively; 36 died because of unrelated causes. Blood flow rate was 28 4 mL/min; venous pressure at 1 year was 90 mm Hg. Complications includ ed accidental withdrawal (6), dysfunction (4), catheter clotting (11), mediastinal hematoma (2), pneumothorax (1), and sepsis (7). Good long -term survival and a low complication rate make this system a safe and reliable method of access for long-term hemodialysis.