December 2018
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53 Reads
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3 Citations
Journal of the Association of Physicians of India
Objective: To study the magnitude of the complication of catheter associated right atrial thrombus (CRAT) in patients with tunnelled central venous hemodialysis catheters (THC) for maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Material and methods: A retrospective study was conducted among patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) with THC for MHD who had undergone screening for CRAT with a 2D-echo (2DE) just before removal of the THC. The occurrence of CRAT and other clinical parameters were documented in these patients. Results: A total of 28 patients (mean [SD] age 51 [15.2] years; females 17 [60.7%]) were included in the study. CRAT was observed in 5 (17.9%) patients. There was no difference in mean age in patients with or without thrombus (48±13.02 vs 51.61 ± 15.78 years; p = 0.61). History of diabetes and hypertension was present in 2 and all 5 patients respectively. There was no significant difference in the period the THC was in place in patients with or without CRAT (13±7.8 months vs 10.57±5.66 months; p = 0.54). There was no association between catheter related blood stream infection (CRBSI) and CRAT (p= 0.29). Conclusion: The incidence of CRAT in patients with THC for MHD was 17.9%. Patients with THC for MHD should be examined for presence of CRAT before removal of THC to prevent fatal pulmonary thromboembolism.