Outcomes of tunneled internal jugular venous catheters for chronic haemodialysis at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Comparison of Dialysis Catheter Insertion and Complications Under Ultrasound Guidance with or without Fluoroscopic Assistance: A Randomized Study

Background

Fluoroscopy is considered to be the gold standard and an essential requirement for catheter insertion. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the outcomes in ultrasound (USG)-guided insertion with and without fluoroscopy. We compared the complications of USG-guided tunneled dialysis catheter (TDC) insertion with and without fluoroscopy assistance.

Materials and Methods

This was a single-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) done in a tertiary hospital in North India. After screening 153 patients, 149 were enrolled: 87 were randomized into USG-guided insertion without fluoroscopy (group A) and 62 were randomized into USG-guided insertion with fluoroscopy (group B). All insertions were done in a dedicated procedure room by trained nephrologists. Outcomes were analyzed at baseline and at 1-month follow-up. Mechanical complications as well as infective and thrombotic complications were compared between both the groups.

Results

TDC insertion was successful (100%) in all the study participants (N = 149). One hundred twenty-nine catheters (86.5%) were inserted in the first attempt, 19 (12.5%) in the second attempt, and one catheter insertion required three attempts for insertion. The mean age of study participants was 43 years (±16.5), and males constituted 63% of the study cohort. Baseline laboratory characteristics of the two groups were comparable. The mean time of catheter insertion was 41.26 min (standard deviation [SD] 11.8) in group A and 47.74 min (SD 17.2) in group B (P = 0.007). The mean score of ease of catheter insertion, exit site bleed, infective and mechanical complications were not different between the two groups.

Conclusion

Our study concluded that fluoroscopy has no additional advantage in reducing mechanical, infective, or thrombotic complications. In experienced hands, USG-guided TDC insertion without fluoroscopy assistance is as good as the insertion done with fluoroscopy assistance, with a shorter procedure time.

The risk factors of autogenous arteriovenous fistula dysfunction in maintenance hemodialysis patients and the curative effect of personalized nursing

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of individualized nursing intervention on autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) dysfunction and the risk factors leading to failures in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.

METHODS

A total of 196 patients undergoing MHD in our hospital from March 2017 to May 2019 were recruited as the study cohort and divided into two groups according to the nursing method each patient underwent. The patients who underwent individualized nursing intervention were placed in the research group (RG, n = 107), and the patients who underwent routine nursing intervention were placed in the control group (CG, n = 89). The proportion of patients with primary dysfunction in the use of AVF was recorded, and the patients' psychological states, treatment compliance, and self-nursing abilities in the two groups before and after the nursing intervention were observed. The complications, the life treatment scores, and the patients' nursing satisfaction were recorded after the nursing intervention. A logistic regression analysis was performed for the patients with initial AVF dysfunction.

RESULTS

Compared with the CG, the patients in the RG after the nursing intervention had statistically lower AVF dysfunction rates, notably lower SAS and SDS scores, remarkably higher total compliance rates and ESCA scores, and a dramatically lower total incidence of complications. AVF dysfunction occurred in 26 of 196 patients (13.4%) during the follow-up, with an increased risk of AVF loss in patients over 60 years old, lower blood pressure, higher hemoglobin concentrations, lower treatment compliance, self-care inability, and routine nursing interventions. After the nursing, the WHOQOL-BREF and nursing satisfaction scores in the RG were noticeably higher than they were in the CG.

CONCLUSION

Autologous AVF dysfunction is the result of multiple risk factors, and personalized nursing can reduce the incidence of complications, improve patients' treatment compliance and self-care abilities, and ameliorate their quality of life.

Outcomes of tunneled cuffed hemodialysis catheters: An experience from a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan

INTRODUCTION

Tunneled cuffed catheters (TCC) are generally used as a temporary means to provide hemodialysis (HD) until permanent arteriovenous access is established. However, certain complications are associated with use of TCCs such as infections, catheter malfunction/malposition or venous stenosis. Limited data is available on outcomes and long term complications associated with TCCs in our country. The aim of this study was to study the outcomes of TCCs and associated long term complications during the course of its usage.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied case records of patients who had TCCs placed for HD at our institution, from January 2016 to June 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 116 TCCs were placed during the study period. The mean age of the population was 57.09 years; 58.6% were males. The right internal jugular vein (52.6%) was the most common site of TCC insertion followed by the left internal jugular vein (29.3%). Functioning TCCs were successfully removed in almost two-thirds of cases (65.7%) once their permanent access was mature. Development of catheter related blood stream infection (CRBSI) was seen in 22 patients (19.8%) requiring catheter removal in 14 (12.6%) patients. Mechanical complications leading to catheter removal were seen in seven patients (6.3%). The median catheter duration was 62.5 days ranging from 1 to 343 days.

CONCLUSION

TCCs, though associated with complications particularly CRBSI, are a viable option for short- to intermediate-term use for HD till the maturation of permanent arteriovenous access in a limited-resource setting.

Mid-term results of tunneled brachial venous hemodialysis catheter placement: Our single-center experience with 21 patients

Background

This study aims to analyze the safety and efficacy of permanent hemodialysis catheter insertion via the brachial vein in unsuitable patients for catheter insertion from other vascular access sites.

Methods

A total of 21 patients (6 males, 18 females; mean age: 54.4±11.3 years; range, 48 to 77 years) who underwent permanent hemodialysis catheter insertion via the brachial vein between February 2019 and February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent brachial venous tunneled catheter insertion under the ultrasound guidance and under local anesthesia. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed before and six months after catheter insertion. The primary patency rate of the catheter at six months of follow-up, potential associated complications of a permanent hemodialysis catheter including catheter thrombosis and catheter infections, and all-cause mortality rates were recorded.

Results

Catheter removal was required in eight patients (catheter thrombosis, n=5; catheter infection, n=2; and extensive hematoma, n=1). The catheters were patent in the remaining 13 (62%) patients at six months. Mortality occurred in one patient due to bacterial pneumonia. No life-threatening complications including hemothorax or pneumothorax and neurological injury was observed in any of the patients.

Conclusion

Our study results show that brachial venous tunneled catheter placement for hemodialysis can be a safe and valid alternative to catheter insertion from the jugular or subclavian veins for vascular access in patients with end-stage renal disease.