Right atrial thrombosis associated with hemodialysis catheter: first description of recurrence in a poorly understood problem

J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2015 Feb;39(2):254-7. doi: 10.1007/s11239-014-1115-0.

Abstract

Catheter-related right atrial thrombosis (CRAT) is an underreported and potentially life-threatening complication of central venous catheter in hemodialysis patients. The accurate incidence is unknown, with reported rates ranging from 2 to 12.8% [1] in series, up to 29% [2] in a postmortem prospective study, and high mortality rates (18%) [1]. The optimal treatment for CRAT is controversial and nonsystematized, including anticoagulation, thrombolysis, and surgical thrombectomy. We report two cases of CRAT in dialysis patients, who underwent surgical thrombectomy. One case required reintervention because of recurrence, a first reported case in hemodialysis population.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Coagulation Tests
  • Catheter-Related Infections* / diagnosis
  • Catheter-Related Infections* / microbiology
  • Catheter-Related Infections* / surgery
  • Catheterization, Central Venous / adverse effects*
  • Catheterization, Central Venous / methods
  • Female
  • Heart Atria / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Atria / physiopathology
  • Heart Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Heart Diseases* / etiology
  • Heart Diseases* / physiopathology
  • Heart Diseases* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Renal Dialysis* / adverse effects
  • Renal Dialysis* / instrumentation
  • Renal Dialysis* / methods
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / diagnosis
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / etiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / surgery
  • Thrombectomy* / adverse effects
  • Thrombectomy* / methods
  • Thrombosis* / diagnosis
  • Thrombosis* / etiology
  • Thrombosis* / physiopathology
  • Thrombosis* / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Anticoagulants