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Background: It is critical to clarify the biochemical factors associated with thrombosis development following tunneled dialysis catheter (TDC) insertion. Methods: The study involved retrospective analysis of charts of patients hospitalized for permanent TDC placement between 2013 and 2020 in a tertiary academic center. Patients undergoing a hemodialysis schedule with permanent TDC for more than three months were included in the study. To determine predictive factors associated with thrombosis development in permanent TDC, patients were assigned to one of two groups, according to the extent of thrombosis. The groups were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, blood test values, complication and length of follow-up period. Results: A total of 350 patients (204 female, 146 male) were enrolled into the study. In patients with thrombosis the mean BMI was found significantly higher (p = 0.001) and presence of diabetes mellitus was significantly common (p = 0.014). Patients with thrombosis had significantly higher D-dimer (6.5 vs. 2.4 µg/mL, p = 0.001) and procalcitonin levels (4.1 vs. 1.4 ng/mL, p = 0.001). Additionally, patients with thrombosis had a significantly higher rate of infective complications (p = 0.014). Logistic regression analysis revealed that BMI > 30 kg/m² and infective complications increased thrombosis risk 3.842 and 3.104 times (p = 0.004 and p = 0.038, respectively). Additionally, Ddimer level > 3 µg/mL and procalcitonin level > 2 ng/mL were significantly associated with the development of thrombosis (p = 0.001 and p = 0.007). Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the presence of infection, higher BMI > 30 kg/m², D-dimer level > 3 µg/mL and procalcitonin level > 2 ng/mL were found to increase the incidence of thrombosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Vascular access thrombosis increases the risk of mortality and morbidity in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis (HD). This study aimed to evaluate hereditary thrombophilia factors in HD patients and its association with tunneled cuffed catheters’ thrombosis. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 consecutive patients with ESRD on HD with tunneled cuffed catheters were selected. Inherited thrombophilia factors (Anti-thrombin III, Protein C, Protein S, and Factor V Leiden) were measured and the patients were followed for 3 months to evaluate the incidence of catheter-related thrombosis. The association between these factors and catheter thrombosis was assessed. Results: The mean age of patients was 60.30 ± 8.69 years. Forty-seven patients (78.30%) were female and thirteen patients (21.70%) were male. The most common cause of ESRD was diabetes mellitus (41.67%). The most catheter site was the right internal jugular vein (55%). There were 22 (36.67%) and 8 (13.33%) cases of thrombosis and mortality, respectively. The association between hereditary thrombophilia factors and catheter thrombosis was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In this small group of our patients, the frequency of hereditary thrombophilia was not significantly different between those with and without thrombosis of tunneled HD catheter.

Abstract Patients with genetic disorders are potentially more susceptible to present vascular abnormalities compared to the general population. For these patients, unusual difficulties could appear during a CVC placement procedure that could lead to major complications if venous abnormalities are undiagnosed. Ultrasound and fluoroscopy guidance should be used routinely for all patients in order to avoid complications and catheter misplacement.

Catheter related atrial thrombus (CRAT) is a devastating complication associated with tunneled hemodialysis catheter. Abiotrophia defectiva is a rare fastidious pathogen implicated predominantly in culture negative infective endocarditis. Here we report three cases of CRAT in maintenance hemodialysis patients with variable clinical presentation caused by Abiotrophia defectiva. Video assisted thoracoscopic retrieval of atrial thrombus is a novel technique which is scarcely reported in medical literature for surgical management of large atrial thrombus. Our cases were managed by timely administration of antibiotics and anticoagulants followed by surgical retrieval of atrial thrombus with removal of tunneled dialysis catheter. This case series illustrates the importance of prompt diagnosis, appropriate anticoagulation with antibiotics, and mini-invasive surgical removal of atrial thrombus for the management of CRAT., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Mitsutoshi Shindo,1 Hiroaki Takemae,2 Takafumi Kubo,2 Masatsugu Soeno,2 Tetsuo Ando,2 Yoshiyuki Morishita1 1Division of Nephrology, First Department of Integrated Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Saitama, Japan; 2Department of Dialysis and Transplant Surgery, Hidaka Hospital, Gunma, Japan Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the primary patency rate and catheter-related problems associated with use of the femoral vein as a route for tunneled hemodialysis catheterization compared with those of the right internal jugular vein as the first-choice route in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Patients and methods: Twenty-two patients underwent placement of indwelling tunneled hemodialysis catheters in the right internal jugular vein as the first option for maintenance hemodialysis, and 20 patients underwent placement in the right femoral vein as the second option. The primary patency rate of the catheters and catheter-related problems at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after placement were investigated. Results: The 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month primary patency rates of the tunneled hemodialysis catheters in the right internal jugular vein were 95.5%, 95.5%, 81.3%, and 58.3%. The primary patency rates of the catheters in the right femoral vein were 95.0%, 89.5%, 86.7%, and 66.7%. There were no statistically significant differences in the primary patency rates at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months or in catheter-related problems between the right internal jugular vein and right femoral vein. Conclusion: The primary patency rate and catheter-related problems of indwelling tunneled hemodialysis catheters placed in the right femoral vein were not different from those in the right internal jugular vein in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. These results suggest that the right femoral vein might be a useful option for placement of indwelling tunneled hemodialysis catheters in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Keywords: tunneled hemodialysis catheter, right femoral vein, primary patency rate, catheter-related problems

Introduction: Vascular access thrombosis increases the risk of mortality and morbidity in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis (HD). This study aimed to evaluate hereditary thrombophilia factors in HD patients and its association with tunneled cuffed catheters' thrombosis. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 consecutive patients with ESRD on HD with tunneled cuffed catheters were selected. Inherited thrombophilia factors (Anti-thrombin III, Protein C, Protein S, and Factor V Leiden) were measured and the patients were followed for 3 months to evaluate the incidence of catheter-related thrombosis. The association between these factors and catheter thrombosis was assessed. Results: The mean age of patients was 60.30 ± 8.69 years. Forty-seven patients (78.30%) were female and thirteen patients (21.70%) were male. The most common cause of ESRD was diabetes mellitus (41.67%). The most catheter site was the right internal jugular vein (55%). There were 22 (36.67%) and 8 (13.33%) cases of thrombosis and mortality, respectively. The association between hereditary thrombophilia factors and catheter thrombosis was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In this small group of our patients, the frequency of hereditary thrombophilia was not significantly different between those with and without thrombosis of tunneled HD catheter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to determine factors that influence time to removal of tunneled hemodialysis catheter (THC), probability of repeat vascular access creation, and time to repeat vascular access. The Optum Clinformatics Data Mart claims database was queried from 2011 to 2017 for patients who initiated hemodialysis with a THC. Time from initial arteriovenous fistula (AVF)/graft (AVG) to THC removal and time to repeat AVF/AVG were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards. The likelihood of repeat AVF/AVG was analyzed using logistic regression. A total of 8941 vascular access met the inclusion criteria: 6913 (77%) AVF and 2028 (23%) AVG. Median follow-up was 595 days among AVF patients (range, 1-2543 days) and 579 days among AVG patients (range, 1-2529 days). Patients undergoing AVF were younger, more likely to be male, of white race, and obese. Patients undergoing AVF were also slightly less likely to have diabetes, cardiac arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease than patients undergoing AVG. At 90 days and at 180 days after index access creation, significantly more patients who underwent index AVG had their THC removed compared with patients who underwent index AVF. By day 365, 78% of patients in both AVF and AVG had their THC removed. A total of 2550 (28.5%) patients underwent a repeat vascular access creation during the follow-up period: 30% of index AVF and 24% of index AVG. At 90 days, 180 days, and 365 days, significantly more patients in the index AVF group underwent a repeat vascular access creation than those in the index AVG group. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant interaction between vascular access type and age ≥70 years (P <.001) for time to THC removal, likelihood of repeat vascular access, and time to repeat vascular access. In the age <70 group, patients who underwent AVG were 60% more likely to have a shorter time to THC, had a 50.4% lower odds of repeat vascular access, and were 47% more likely to have a longer time to repeat vascular access compared with patients who underwent index AVF. In the age ≥70 group, patients who underwent AVG were 98% more likely to have a shorter time to THC removal, had 69.7% lower odds of repeat vascular access, and were 66% more likely to have a longer time to repeat vascular access. Creation of AVG vs AVF significantly decreases the time to THC removal in dialysis-dependent patients, with a larger difference in patients aged ≥70 vs <70. Initial AVG was associated with lower odds of repeat vascular access and longer time to repeat vascular access. These results suggest that the dictum of "fistula first" is not appropriate for all patient populations and supports judicious use of AVG in achieving the more recent shift toward "catheter last." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with genetic disorders are potentially more susceptible to present vascular abnormalities compared to the general population. For these patients, unusual difficulties could appear during a CVC placement procedure that could lead to major complications if venous abnormalities are undiagnosed. Ultrasound and fluoroscopy guidance should be used routinely for all patients in order to avoid complications and catheter misplacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of different catheter tip positions on the life of the catheter, dysfunction, infection, and quality of hemodialysis and possible differences between the access site laterality in jugular-tunneled hemodialysis catheters. Methods: Catheters were evaluated for the following parameters: place of insertion, time of insertion, duration of use, and reason for removal. In all patients, the catheter tip position was checked using an X-ray. Results: The mean duration of implanted catheters with the tip placed in the cavo-atrial junction and right atrium was significantly longer. There were no differences in catheter functionality at follow-up or complications based on catheter laterality for each catheter tip position. Conclusion: According to our results, the localization of the catheter tip in superior vena cava still remains the least preferable method. Our results showed that the main factor responsible for better catheter functionality was not laterality but the depth to which the catheter tip is inserted into the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunneled hemodialysis (HD) catheter associated right atrial thrombus (CRAT) is an uncommon complication with significant morbidity. We report the case of a patient undergoing HD through tunneled venous catheter who presented with catheter dysfunction and sepsis and was diagnosed to have CRAT with septic embolism. CRAT formation has a significant association with catheter related infection. The need for early diagnosis and various treatment options for this entity are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Over 468,000 patients in the United States use hemodialysis to manage End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the dialysis access Clinical Performance Measures (CPMs) of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ESRD Quality Incentive Program (QIP) have increased arteriovenous fistula (AVF) rates and decreased long-term tunneled hemodialysis catheter (TDC) rates among hemodialysis patients in United States., Methods: Retrospective observational study: evaluated reported AVF and long-term TDC rates of 4804 dialysis facilities which reported dialysis access data as part of the ESRD QIP from Payment Year (PY) 2014-2020. Facilities were also sorted by specific additional criteria to examine disparities in dialysis access., Results: Mean AVF rates of included facilities increased from 63.7% in PY 2014 to 67.2% in PY 2016 ( p  < 0.05), did not change in PY 2017 ( p  > 0.05), and declined significantly in PY 2018-2020 to 64.1% in PY 2020, near AVF rates at the inception of program. Long-term TDC rates decreased from 10.4% in PY 2014 to 9.88% in PY 2015 ( p  < 0.05), then increased in PY 2015-PY 2020 to rates higher than at the inception of program, at 11.8% in PY 2020 ( p  < 0.05). Facilities serving majority Black ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) or ZCTAs with median income <$45,000 achieved significantly lower AVF rates ( p  < 0.05) with no significant difference in long-term TDC rates ( p  > 0.05). AVF rates correlated positively and long-term TDC rates correlated negatively with star rating of facilities ( p  < 0.05)., Conclusion: As one of the first financial QIPs in healthcare, the ESRD QIP has not achieved the stated goals of the CMS to increase AVF access rates above 68% and reduce long-term TDC clinical rates below 10%. Systemic disparities in race, geographic region, economic status, healthcare access, and education of providers and patients prevent successful attainment of goal metrics.

Background & aim: This trial assessed the efficacy of cotrimoxazole lock solution in reducing catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSIs) among hemodialysis (HD) patients who were dialyzed using tunneled catheters. Method: Patients randomly received either heparin (2500 U/ml) (control group) or a mixture of 10 mg/ml cotrimoxazole (based on trimethoprim) and 2500 U/ml heparin (antibiotic group) as catheters lock solution. Results: Compared with the control group, CRBSIs rates per 1000 catheter-days was significantly lower (0.58 vs 4.4 events; p = 0.002) and cumulative infection-free catheter survival was significantly higher (log rank statistic 5.88; p = 0.015) in the antibiotic group. There were no statistical differences regarding incidences of catheter removal (8.7% in the antibiotic group vs 22% in the control group; p = 0.116) or thrombosis (2.2% in the antibiotic group vs 9.8% in the control group; p = 0.129) between the two groups. Conclusion: cotrimoxazole containing catheter lock solution is effective in reducing CRBSIs incidence and prolonging dialysis catheter survival in HD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Medica Croatica is the property of Croatian Academy of Medical Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Arterial injury during internal jugular vein cannulation can cause devastating complications such as stroke, hematoma, hemothorax, pseudoaneurysm, AV fistula, or even death. Acute upper limb ischemia caused by inadvertent arterial puncture during internal jugular vein cannulation has been rarely reported. The present report describes the case of a patient who experienced right upper limb ischemia caused by subclavian artery thrombosis developed during attempted placement of a tunneled hemodialysis catheter via the right internal jugular vein. The patient underwent an emergency brachial embolectomy and recovered uneventfully.

Background: This study aims to investigate the association of genes predisposing thrombophilia with tunneled catheter thrombosis in hemodialysis patients., Methods: Between October 2018 and December 2020, we compared the frequencies of genetic polymorphisms causing thrombophilia, including prothrombin G20210A, factor V Leiden, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T, MTHFR A1298C, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), factor XIII V34L and clinical characteristics of 52 patients with a history of 2 tunneled2 tunneled catheter thrombosis occlusions within a year (Group 1; 24 males, 28 females; mean age: 62±8.9 years; range, 45 to 77 years), 52 patients who underwent their first tunneled catheter thrombosis insertion (Group 2; 29 males, 23 females; mean age: 63±15.2 years; range, 22 to 87 years), and 51 healthy controls (Group 3; 26 males, 25 females; mean age: 34±9.2 years; range, 19 to 54 years)., Results: Groups 1 and 2 carried the MTHFR A1298C (p=0.048) and compound heterozygous MTHFR A1298C and C677T (p=0.048) polymorphisms more frequently than Group 3. However, subgroup analysis results were not statistically significant. The other polymorphisms were distributed similarly in all three groups. The MTHFR polymorphisms had a weak effect on tunneled hemodialysis catheter thrombosis in neural network analysis., Conclusion: Our study results indicated that there was a concomitance of MTHFR polymorphisms with hemodialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease. The MTHFR A1298C and compound heterozygous MTHFR polymorphisms may be associated with tunneled hemodialysis catheter thrombosis. Thrombophilia gene screening may be recommended in hemodialysis patients undergoing tunneled hemodialysis catheter thrombosis at least twice in a year., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2022, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.)

Copyright of Nefrologia is the property of Revista Nefrologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Effectiveness and safety of dialysis vascular access procedures performed by interventional nephrologists.Background.The purpose of this report was to analyze the results obtained from a group of interventional nephrologists working in multiple centers performing basic procedures that are used routinely in the management of vascular access problems, with an effort toward establishing standards for evaluating success, complication rates, and acceptable times for procedure duration and fluoroscopy.Methods.Data on six basic procedures were analyzed—angioplasty of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF-PTA), angioplasty of synthetic grafts (graft-PTA), thrombectomy of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF declot), thrombectomy of synthetic grafts (graft declot), placement of tunneled dialysis catheters (TDC placement), and tunneled dialysis catheter exchange (TDC exchange). These data were examined both as a group and by individual physician operator.Results.A total of 14,067 cases were performed under the six categories of procedure that were the subject of this report; 13,503 cases (96.18%) were successful. The overall complication rate for the combined group of procedures was 3.54%, with 3.26% falling within the minor category and 0.28% within the major. The number of cases performed in each individual category with success rates for each were as follows: TDC placement—1765 cases, 98.24% successful; TDC exchange—2262 cases, 98.36% successful, AVF-PTA—1561 cases, 96.58% successful; graft-PTA—3560 cases, 98.06% successful; AVF declot—228 cases, 78.10% successful; graft declot—4671 cases, 93.08% successful.Conclusion.This study demonstrates that appropriately trained interventional nephrologists can perform these basic procedures in both a safe and effective manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nontunneled hemodialysis catheters (NTHCs) are typically used when vascular access is required for urgent renal replacement therapy. The preferred site for NTHC insertion in acute kidney injury is the right internal jugular vein followed by the femoral vein. When aided by real-time ultrasound, mechanical complications related to NTHC insertion are significantly reduced. The preferred site for tunneled hemodialysis catheters placement is the right internal jugular vein followed by the left internal jugular vein. Ideally, the catheter should be inserted on the opposite side of a maturing or planned fistula/graft. Several dual-lumen, large-diameter catheters are available with multiple catheter tip designs, but no one catheter has shown significant superior performance., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.