The authors report an analysis of 57 subclavian vein catheterizations for hemodialysis. A total of 51 pa tients (34 men, 17 women) kept the Cobe single- and double-lumen cathe ters for 1,726 days. The youngest pa tient was eighteen and the oldest sev enty-two years of age. There were no catheter-related deaths. Complica tions were encountered in 9 patients. The only life-threatening complica tion was cardiac arrest, which oc curred during flushing of the catheter. The patient was successfully revived. The other complications were pneumothorax and hydrothorax in 1 patient, catheter site infection in 5 patients, and arrhythmias in 2 pa tients, which stopped after readjust ment of the catheter tips.
Their experience indicates that percutaneous subclavian vein cathe terization is safe and provides quick access for hemodialysis with no mor bidity and mortality if done correctly, patiently, and meticulously. The au thors believe that this should be the first choice in patients with reversible renal failure and in patients with chronic renal failure, who are usually elderly and medically compromised, till a permanent vascular access is ready for use.
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