The selection of the suitable long peripheral catheter in DIVA patients: The significance of ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND: There are several types of LPC (long peripheral catheters) that vary in length, size, insertion method, and cost. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether ultrasonography can be useful for the selection of the suitable LPC in DIVA (difficult intravenous access) patients. METHODS: Based on the ultrasonographic examination, a long peripheral catheter was selected. A 6.4 cm LPC into a vein at a depth of up to 0.5 cm, a 8.5 cm LPC into a vein at a depth up to 1.5 cm, and a 9.8 cm catheter at a depth up to 2 cm using the cannula over needle method. A 12 cm catheter was inserted into the deeper veins using the direct Seldinger method. The catheter diameter was no more than 33% vein diameter. Dwell time and the number of complications of four vascular devices were recorded and compared. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred fifty-six patients, average age 76 years (19-102), 501 men and 655 women, were included in the study. Average dwelling time was 10 days (1-30), there were 136 complications (11.7%). A catheter 6.4 cm long was inserted in 346 (29.8%), 8.5 cm in 140 (12.1%), 9.8 cm in 320 (27, 5%), and 12 cm in 356 (30.6%) patients. There were no significant differences in dwelling time, rate, and type of complications among the four catheters used. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that ultrasound examination can be useful for the selection of the suitable long peripheral catheter in DIVA patients.

Optimal vascular access to hemodialysis, or what modern medicine offers us.

Hemodialysis is a life-saving method for patients with acute and chronic kidney failure. This treatment requires sufficiently large and safe vascular access. Ensuring optimal vascular access is therefore a prerequisite and an integral part of the care of these patients. In addition to commonly known vascular approaches such as non-tunnelized or tunneled hemodialysis catheters and AV fistulas, less well-known methods are also available, such as a translumbar or directly surgically inserted hemodialysis catheter into the right atrium. However, these alternative approaches are the only, life-saving alternative for some patients. The ambition of this review article is to offer a comprehensive view of the available options for vascular access, the algorithm for its selection and solutions to the most common complications in clinical practice.

Comparison of 12-cm versus 6-cm long peripheral catheters in patients with difficult intravenous access (DIVA).

BACKGROUND: Long peripheral catheter is 6-15 cm long vascular device. The aim of the study was to compare the frequency of complications of two types of long peripheral catheters with different length inserted in DIVA patients. METHODS: Under ultrasound navigation 2.7F 6.4 cm or 4Fr 12 cm long peripheral catheter was inserted. Complications of both long peripheral catheters were prospectively observed and their relationship to the patient's age, gender, selected vein, number of punctures and Barthel score system was evaluated. RESULTS: Ninety-three 12 cm and fifty-five 6.4 cm long peripheral catheters were inserted. Median of dwelling time was 8 days for 6.4 cm and 9 days for 12 cm long peripheral catheter. There were 17 (26%) complications in 6.4 cm (38/1000 catheter days) and 15 (16%) in 12 cm catheter (17/1000 catheter days), p = 0.04. The complications of both peripheral catheters were not associated with the age of patients, gender, number of punctures and selected vein for insertion. Unlike 12 cm catheter, the complications of 6.4 cm long peripheral catheter were significantly associated with the result of Barthel scoring system (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The frequency of complications was more common with 6,4 cm than with 12 cm catheter.

Primary angiosarcoma of the femoral artery in patient with kidney and liver polycystosis and multiple arterial aneurysms: report of the case and review of the literature.

The association between kidney and liver polycystosis and arterial aneurysms is well documented. However, it remains unclear whether these patients are at increased risk of malignant transformation. In this article, we describe a case of a primary angiosarcoma of the femoral artery with metastatic spread into the lungs and hilar lymph node arising in a 74-year-old man with kidney and liver polycystosis and multiple arterial aneurysms.

[Hypersensitive reaction after application of heparin with activation heparin induced trombocytopenia in initiation of intermittent haemodialysis]. / Hypersenzitivní reakce po podání heparinu s aktivací heparinem indukované trombocytopenie po zahájení intermitentní hemodialýzy.

Our report describes the case of patient with hypersensitive reaction regularly arising early after initiation of haemodialysis. This characteristic reaction with pletoric face coloration, bronchospasm, increase of blood pressure, anxiety and decrease of blood oxygen saturation at the consequence and central cyanosis was regularly present without dependence on type of dialysis membrane, drug premedication or prophylactic flushing haemodialysis system by isotonic natrium chloride solution. Low platelet value and trouble-free haemodialysis realized without heparin showed real cause of patients problem. Resolution of this state was regional citrate anticoagulation during intermitent haemodialysis.

Antibiotic treatment following a dog bite in an immunocompromized patient in order to prevent Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a commensal bacterium found in the saliva of dogs and cats. Clinically significant infections in humans after a bite are often associated with the presence of immune deficiency. Early recognition and appropriate treatment are crucial for patient survival. In addition, patients with immune deficiency are susceptible to serious life-threatening nosocomial infections, which may also influence the prognosis of patients with Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old Caucasian female was admitted with septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal failure, metabolic acidosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation after suffering two small bites from her dog. She had received a splenectomy during childhood. The patient survived after early empiric treatment with antibiotics and intensive supportive care, including ventilation support, a high dose of noradrenalin, and continuous venovenous hemodialysis applied prior to the definitive diagnosis of Capnocytophaga canimorsus sepsis. She improved within 2 weeks but, despite all efforts to prevent nosocomial infection, her hospital course was complicated by Enterococcus species and Candida albicans pleuropneumonia that prolonged her stay in the intensive care unit, and necessitated ventilation support for 2 months. CONCLUSION: Severe Capnocytophaga canimorsus sepsis may be complicated by life-threatening nosocomial infection in immunocompromized patients. The prophylactic application of antibiotics after a dog bite should be considered in high-risk individuals with immune deficiency in order to prevent both Capnocytophyga canimorsus sepsis and serious nosocomial complications.

The optimal control of blood glucose is associated with normal blood pressure 24 hours profile and prevention of the left ventricular remodeling in the patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the optimal diabetes control on the left ventricular parameters and ambulatory blood pressure in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: The patients with GDM were followed up according to predetermined protocol in order to optimize blood glucose and optimal weight gain. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and transthoracal and tissue echocardiography were examined in 36th week of pregnancy. RESULTS: The age of 35 women with GDM was 33.1±3 and 30.5±4.4 years in 31 healthy control subjects (p=0.2). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in the patients with GDM was 5.0±0.5 mmol/L compared to 4.6±0.3 mmol/L in control subjects (p=0.002). Average weight gain during pregnancy was significantly lower in women with GDM; 10±7.6 kg vs. 13.1±3.7 kg in healthy pregnant women (p=0.05). No significant differences were recorded in 24 hours mean heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and number of nondippers between both groups. The significant correlation was detected between FPG and blood pressure dipping in subjects with GDM. Interventricular septal, posterior wall and relative wall thickness of the left ventricle were significantly higher in patients with GDM comparing to healthy pregnant women but no significant differences of the left ventricular functions were recorded. CONCLUSION: The optimal control of diabetes in GDM is associated with normal 24 hours blood pressure profile and prevention of the left ventricular function changes in GDM patients. The differences in the left ventricular walls thicknesses may be explained by metabolic changes in GDM.