Challenging, Safe, and Effective Use of External Iliac Vein for Insertion of Tunneled Cuffed Hemodialysis Catheters: A Single-Center Prospective Study.

Background: Providing well-functioning vascular access is crucial for patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Peripheral arteriovenous fistulas and grafts are the preferred accesses in hemodialysis patients. Patients with bilateral obstruction of internal jugular veins and subclavian veins require a suitable vascular access. Thus, the insertion of iliac vein tunneled cuffed catheters (TCCs) by interventional nephrologists may be a good option for these patients. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of iliac vein TCCs in patients lacking other vascular options.

Methods: 80 tunneled cuffed hemodialysis catheters were inserted through the iliac veins of 80 patients with an end-stage kidney disease. Catheter insertion was guided by Doppler ultrasonography followed by plain radiography to detect the catheter tip and exclude complications.

Results: The insertion success rate was 100%. 25 patients developed catheter-related infections. The mean survival time per catheter was 328 days. At the end of the study, 40 catheters were still functioning, 15 patients were shifted to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and 5 patients were referred to the interventional radiology department for insertion of transhepatic inferior vena cava tunneled catheters. Resistant catheter-related infection was the main cause of catheter removal in 11 patients (17.5%) in this study. Catheter malfunction was the second most common cause of catheter removal in 9 patients (11.25%).

Conclusion: This study concluded that iliac vein TCCs can provide suitable vascular access in hemodialysis patients with bilateral obstruction of internal jugular veins and subclavian veins.