[Implanting haemodialysis catheters in the brachiocephalic vein: a little-used approach]

Abstract

We report three patients with chronic renal failure in hemodialysis therapy, which had exhausted conventional venous access in the upper hemitórax (internal jugular, subclavian, axillary) for hemodialysis, primarily due to thrombosis of these veins by previous catheterization. We chose the technique of Rao et al. and cols for puncture of innominate vein, resulting in the implantation of catheters and their subsequent subcutaneous tunneling. Permanent catheters3 work properly and are permeable to the date after a period averaging 8 months.