Abstract
A superior vena cava catheter was designed as a temporary blood access and its effect was studied. Percutaneous catheterization of the subclavian vein, the internal jugular vein and the external jugular vein was done 114 times in 82 cases. The catheters were inserted into the superior vena cava by Seldinger's method and left there. The new type of the catheter consists of two parts, one is the inner tube made of teflon and another is the outer tube made of one of these materials: heparinized-polyurethane (H-PU), silicon rubber or polyvinyl chloride(PVC). The H-PU catheter was superior to others in anticoagulability but we could not obtain enough blood flow for hemodialysis by this catheter. In our stady, the subclarian vein was punctured sixty-two times, the internal jugular vein five times, and the external jugular vein fourty seven times as an approach vein. The catheterization of the subclarian veins resulted in pneumothrax in one case and hematoma with severe pain in five cases. The hematoma with severe pain was indused by the catheterization of the internal jugular veins in two cases. Major complications were not observed in the catheterization of the external jugular veins. Based on the above results, the insertion of the superior vena cava catheter via the external jugular vein seems to be the most safe method. It was also found that these catheters are flexible and wearable so that the patients are alowed to do daily activities. The frequency of infection was less than one-third in that of femoral catheters.
