Journal article
Exchanging dual-lumen central venous catheters: How I do it
I Chaitowitz, R Heng, KW Bell
AUSTRALASIAN RADIOLOGY | BLACKWELL PUBLISHING | Published : 2007
Abstract
The management of a blocked long-term central venous catheter has traditionally been removal and re-siting, even when device failure is not associated with venous thrombosis or sepsis. It is not possible to 'railroad' a split dual-lumen central venous catheter down a long tortuous s.c. tunnel. Our exchange technique was designed to salvage the tunnel and venous access site in a long-term catheter that has had uncomplicated primary device failure. In this technique we divide the dual-lumen catheter and secure the venous access site and the s.c. tunnel with separate peel-away sheaths. The new catheter is then introduced in the conventional manner through the two peel-away sheaths, which are th..
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