Ultrasound-guided infraclavicular axillary vein cannulation for central venous access.
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BACKGROUND: Infraclavicular axillary vein cannulation is not commonly used for central venous access because identifying the surface landmarks is difficult. Ultrasound guided axillary vein puncture has not been well described. We assessed ultrasound imaging to guide catheterization of the infraclavicular axillary vein. METHODS: In 200 consecutive patients we attempted to catheterize the axillary vein using ultrasound imaging. After successful venepuncture, a tunnelled Hickman line was inserted for long-term central venous access. Surface landmarks of the skin puncture site were measured below the clavicle. We measured the depth of the vein from the skin, the length of the guidewire from skin to carina and the final length of catheter that was inserted. RESULTS: The axillary vein was successfully punctured with the help of ultrasound imaging with first needle pass in 76% of patients. The axillary vein was catheterized successfully in 96% of the cases. Guidewire malposition was detected and corrected by fluoroscopy in 15% of cases. Complications included axillary artery puncture in three (1.5%) and transient neuralgia in two (1%) cases. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided catheterization of the infraclavicular axillary vein is a useful alternative technique for central venous cannulation with few complications. (+info)
OBJECTIVE: The optimal configuration for patients with "complex" or "tertiary" hemodialysis access needs remains undefined. This study was designed to examine the utility of the autogenous brachial-axillary translocated superficial femoropopliteal vein access (SFV ACCESS) in this subset of patients. METHODS: Patients presenting for permanent hemodialysis access without a suitable upper extremity vein for autogenous access identified by duplex ultrasound mapping and those with repeated prosthetic access failures were considered candidates for SFV ACCESS. Ankle-brachial indices were obtained, and duplex scanning of the superficial femoropopliteal and saphenous veins was performed. Patients deemed candidates for SFV ACCESS also underwent preoperative upper extremity arteriography and venography. A retrospective review of the complete medical record was performed, and a follow-up telephone or personal interview was conducted. RESULTS: Thirty patients (mean age +/- SD, 54 +/- 15 years; male, 33%; white, 37%; with diabetes, 50%; obese, 21%) underwent SFV ACCESS among approximately 650 access-related open surgical procedures during the study period. The patients had been receiving dialysis for 4 +/- 5 years (range, 0-24 years), and had 3 +/- 3 (range, 0-17) prior permanent accesses, whereas 90% were actively dialyzed through tunneled catheters. In-hospital 30-day mortality was 3%, and the hospital length of stay was 7 +/- 7 days. Fifty-seven percent of the patients experienced some type of perioperative complication, and 38% required a remedial surgical procedure. Hand ischemia developed in 43% of the patients (severity grade: 1, 10%; 2, 7%; 3, 27%), and a distal revascularization, interval ligation was performed in all those with grade 3 ischemia. Thigh wound complications or hematomas developed in 23% of the patients, and arm wound complications or hematomas developed in 17%. The incidence of thigh wound complications was significantly greater (57% vs 9%; P =.03) in obese patients, but the other perioperative complications analyzed could not be predicted on the basis of age, gender, or comorbid conditions. The SFV ACCESS was cannulated 7 +/- 1 weeks postoperatively. The primary, primary assisted, and secondary patency rates were 96% +/- 4%, 100% +/- 0%, and 100% +/- 0%, respectively, at 6 months; 79% +/- 8%, 91% +/- 6%, and 100% +/- 0%, respectively, at 12 months; and 67% +/- 13%, 86% +/- 9%, and 100% +/- 0%, respectively, at 18 months (life table analysis; % +/- SE). CONCLUSIONS: The intermediate term functional patency rate after SFV ACCESS is excellent, although the magnitude of the procedure and the complication rate are significant. SFV ACCESS should only be considered in patients with limited access options. (+info)
Axillary to saphenous vein bypass for treatment of central venous obstruction in patients receiving dialysis.
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OBJECTIVE: Venous hypertension due to subclavian or innominate vein stenosis coexisting with a functioning arteriovenous access in the ipsilateral arm is a complex problem in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Therapeutic solutions must optimally relieve symptoms, permit use of the angioaccess, and carry minimal surgical risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a simple surgical option, bypassing central venous obstruction to the great saphenous vein. METHODS: Eight patients undergoing hemodialysis with severe symptoms and signs of venous hypertension due to subclavian or innominate vein obstruction and ipsilateral arteriovenous fistula or graft underwent axillosaphenous bypass via a subcutaneous 8-mm polytetrafluoroethylene bridge graft. RESULTS: No intraoperative or immediate postoperative morbidity was observed. Early and 6-month patency rates were 100% and 87.5%, respectively. All patients reported improvement of symptoms, and the angioaccess was usable in all cases. Average follow-up was 21.5 months. One patient had a relapse at 5 months, which necessitated revision of the graft-saphenous vein anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Bypassing a central vein occlusion to the saphenous vein relieves symptoms of venous hypertension and prolongs use of the hemodialysis angioaccess. (+info)
Endovascular treatment of penetrating injury of axillary vein with Viabahn endoprosthesis.
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Penetrating injuries of the axillary or subclavian venous system are associated with extensive blood loss and are fatal in more than 50% of cases. Patients are usually unstable and are treated with surgical exploration. We present a case of axillary venous injury that was treated in the operating room with intravenous placement of a self-expanding Viabahn endoprosthesis (W.L. Gore). The device was delivered to the injured site percutaneously via a basilica vein, with immediate control of hemorrhage. (+info)
Feasibility of endovascular repair in penetrating axillosubclavian injuries: a retrospective review.
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BACKGROUND: Penetrating injuries to the axillary and subclavian vessels are a source of significant morbidity and mortality. Although the endovascular repair of such injuries has been increasingly described, an algorithm for endovascular versus conventional surgical repair has yet to be clearly defined. On the basis of institutional endovascular experience treating vascular injuries in other anatomic locations, we defined an algorithm for the management of axillosubclavian vascular injuries. Subsequently, a near decade long experience with the management of axillosubclavian vascular injuries was retrospectively analyzed, so as to more accurately assess the true feasibility of endovascular treatment in these patients. METHODS: We defined a management algorithm that included (1) indications, (2) relative contraindications, and (3) strict contraindications for the endovascular repair of axillosubclavian vascular injuries. Anatomic indications for endovascular repair were restricted to relatively limited axillosubclavian injuries (pseudoaneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas, first-order branch vessel injuries, intimal flaps, and focal lacerations). Relative contraindications for endovascular repair included injury to the axillary artery's third portion, substantial venous injury (eg, transection), refractory hypotension, and upper extremity compartment syndrome with neurovascular compression. Strict contraindications to endovascular repair included long segmental injuries, injuries without sufficient proximal or distal vascular fixation points, and subtotal/total arterial transection. Within the context of these definitions, we retrospectively reviewed 46 noniatrogenic subclavian and axillary vascular injuries in 45 patients identified by a prospectively maintained computer registry during a 9-year period. Presentations were reviewed concurrently by two endovascular surgeons, and potential candidates for endovascular management were defined. RESULTS: Among 46 total case presentations and among the 40 patients who maintained vital signs on presentation, 17 were potentially treatable with endovascular therapy. Among the cohort of 40 presentations, the most common contraindications to endovascular therapy were hemodynamic instability (n = 10), vessel transection (n = 7), and no proximal vascular fixation site (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: Despite growing enthusiasm for endovascular repair of injuries to the axillary and subclavian vessels, realistic clinical presentation and anatomic locations restrict the broad application of this technique at present. In our experience, less than but approaching 50% of all injuries encountered could be addressed with an endovascular approach. This percentage will increase during the upcoming decades if the endovascular technologies available in hybrid endovascular operating rooms uniformly improve. (+info)
An unusual swelling in the neck.
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Venous thrombosis is a fundamental pathological entity. Our patient provides an opportunity to consider etiology in terms of Virchow's classic triad. We also draw attention to the effort syndrome, in which recurrent, vigorous exertion of an upper extremity is thought to produce venous thrombosis by virtue of local endothelial trauma. (+info)
The brachial artery-basilic vein arterio-venous fistula in vascular access for haemodialysis--a review paper.
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AIMS: To review the available literature regarding patency rates and complications of the brachial-basilic arterio-venous fistula (BBAVF) and to discuss this with relation to the current dialysis outcomes quality initiative guidelines. METHODS: An internet based literature search was performed using Pubmed, Medline and Medscape databases to identify all published reports of the BBAVF in the English language from which the full articles were retrieved and cross-referenced. RESULTS: Of 136 papers identified, 28 were directly relevant to this review including four prospective studies (one randomised trial, three non-randomised trials) and 24 retrospective studies. First described by Dagher in 1976, the BBAVF has since been modified to a two-stage procedure with initial fistula formation followed by superficialisation of the basilic vein 6 weeks later. It can be formed successfully in 95% of cases. Mean 1-year primary and secondary patency rates were 72 and 74.6%, respectively. Complications included haematoma (3.8%), stenosis (2.3%), thrombosis (9.7%), transient arm oedema (3.7%), steal syndrome (2.9%) and aneurysm/pseudoaneurysm formation (1.9%). The BBAVF had a lower rate of infection than prosthetic fistulas (3.6 vs. 16%). CONCLUSIONS: The BBAVF has good primary and secondary patency rates with lower rates of infection than prosthetic fistulas making it a preferred secondary access procedure. (+info)
Keyhole technique for autologous brachiobasilic transposition arteriovenous fistula.
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BACKGROUND: Autologous brachiobasilic transposition arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are desirable but require long incisions and extensive surgical dissection. To minimize the extent of surgery, we developed a catheter-based technique that requires only keyhole incisions and local anesthesia. METHODS: The technique involves exposure and division of the basilic vein at the elbow. A guidewire is introduced into the vein, and a 6F "push catheter" is advanced over the guidewire and attached to the vein with sutures. Gently pushing the catheter proximally inverts, or intussuscepts, the vein. Side branches that are felt as resistances when pushing the catheter forward are localized, clipped, and divided under direct vision. Throughout the procedure, the endothelium always remains intraluminal. The basilic vein is externalized at the axilla without dividing it proximally and is tunneled subcutaneously, where it is anastomosed to the brachial artery. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients underwent the procedure--31 as outpatients. The mean duration of operation was less than 90 minutes. All patients tolerated the procedure well, and 31 required only intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. At a mean follow-up of 8 months, the primary patency rate of AVFs in patients with basilic vein diameters of 4 mm or more on preoperative duplex ultrasonography was 80%, vs 50% for those with vein diameters less than 4 mm. Overall, 78% of patent AVFs were being successfully accessed and 22% were still maturing at last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous brachiobasilic transposition AVFs can be created by using catheter-mediated techniques that facilitate the mobilization and tunneling of the basilic vein through small incisions. Medium-term data suggest that the inversion method results in acceptable maturation and functionality of AVFs created with this technique. (+info)