Translumbar inferior vena cava catheter: An unconventional dialysis access

As of December 2012, nearly 449,342 people in the United States were being treated for end-stage renal disease with dialysis; >90% of these patients were treated with hemodialysis (HD) and the minority was treated with peritoneal dialysis.1 Chronic HD is usually accomplished via a surgically created arteriovenous fistula, arteriovenous graft, or tunneled central venous catheter (CVC). Although use of a CVC is not optimal, >80% of patients in the United States initiate HD via a CVC.2 Traditionally, the jugular vein and subclavian veins are the most commonly used central veins for HD access.
Source: Journal of Vascular Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Clinical Column Source Type: research