[Tesio twin catheter system for hemodialysis tunnelized using an echo-guided technique. Retrospective analysis of 210 catheters].

PURPOSE: Review a large experience in the placement of tunnelled catheters to assess the outcomes with twin catheter system as hemodialysis access.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical and hemodialysis data regarding of ESRD patients who were referred from 2 dialysis facilities for placement of tunnelled catheters hemodialysis access between 1996 March and 2005 July. For catheter insertion a real-time sonography technique was used (Site Rite II Dymax corporation) in performing vascular access procedure. The twin catheter system available during the study period consisted of 2 x 10-F12. Patients suspected to present bacteraemia related to catheter were followed with established protocols. Catheter suspected malfunction or thrombosis was treated with low dose Urokinase. To evaluated dialysis dose and adequacy, blood flow rates were recorded and Kt/v calculated by Daugirdas 2nd generation formula.

RESULTS: Overall study period of 112 months, 210 catheters were inserted in 148 patients(93 males and 55 females, mean age 68,6 +/- 4,95 years). 101 catheters were inserted in internal jugular vein, 84 in femoral and 25 in subclavian. The successful insertion rate with only single needle pass was 87.8%, immediate procedural complications rate was 4.7%. The catheters were in place a total of 18,324 days during the study period (mean 87.2 days; range 4-1,280 days). The mean flow blood rate was 252,4 DS +/- 42.4 mL/min, Mean Kt/v was 1,21 DS +/- 0,07. Seventy-seven catheters malfunctioned during study period, in 55 cases urokinase was effective in recovering blood flow rate over 250 mL/min and 25 necessitated removal for ineffective urokinase. Infection incidence was 11.9% with bacteraemia related catheter rate of 2.8 episodes per 1,000 catheter-days, Gram positive bacteria was found in (84%), Gram negative in (12%) and others(4%).

CONCLUSION: Placement of tunnelled twin catheters system using real-time sonography technique can be performed with excellent technical success, safety and acceptable catheter performance and outcomes for effective hemodialysis.