Reasons of unsuccessful implantation of short-term hemodialysis catheters in jugular veins using real-time ultrasound.

Purpose: Real-time ultrasound is indicated for hemodialysis catheters' insertion in internal jugular veins. We evaluated unsuccessful implantation of short-term hemodialysis catheters in internal jugular veins using real-time ultrasound between patients with and without previous short-term catheters. Methods: Observational open-label study of unsuccessful implantation of short-term hemodialysis catheters in internal jugular veins using real-time ultrasound from July 2013 to August 2014. Results: A total of 185 procedures were compared in 122 individuals; 120 (64.86%) had previously used short-term catheters. There were 5 (8%) unsuccessful implantation among 62 catheterizations without previous short-term catheter and 41 (33.6%) among 122 with previous short-term catheter (p = 0.001 Pearson's chi-squared, odds ratio = 5.77, 95% confidence interval = 2.15-15.50, p = 0.001). Non-progressing guidewire occurred in 2 (3.2%) of 62 patients without previous short-term catheter and in 18 (14.8%) of 122 with previous short-term catheter (p = 0.018 Pearson's chi-squared, odds ratio = 5.19, 95% confidence interval = 1.16-23.15, p = 0.031). No difference was observed between size of the veins with or without non-progressing guidewire. All 11 cases of venous thrombosis occurred in patients who had previous short-term catheter removed due to infection. Conclusion: Previous use of short-term catheter is pivotal in the occurrence of unsuccessful implantation of short-term catheter in internal jugular veins using real-time ultrasound.