Subclavian vein stenosis, permanent cardiac pacemakers and the haemodialysed patient.
Two cases of subclavian vein stenosis secondary to permanent cardiac pacemakers are presented. Both stenoses were asymptomatic until arteriovenous fistulae/grafts were constructed in order to initiate haemodialysis. One patient experienced severe oedema of the arm which necessitated surgical closure of the graft. A literature review into major venous stenosis and cardiac pacemakers reveals an asymptomatic, but evidently underestimated, problem. As more elderly patients will be accepted onto haemodialysis programmes, this above-mentioned problem may become more common. Therapeutic answers as to haemodialysis access are discussed in these patients with permanent pacemakers who need haemodialysis.
Korzets
A
A
Department of Nephrology, Hasharon Hospital, Petah-Tikva, Israel.
Chagnac
A
A
Ori
Y
Y
Katz
M
M
Zevin
D
D
D000368:Aged; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013350:Subclavian Vein / Q000473:pathology*