Thrombotic and infectious complications of Hickman-Broviac catheters.
Hickman-Broviac catheters are often used when long-term venous access is required. Although generally safe, catheter-related thrombosis and infection are two of the most frequent and clinically important complications associated with their use. A 47-year-old woman with breast cancer had a Hickman catheter placed for chemotherapy; subsequently, the superior vena caval syndrome developed due to a large thrombus surrounding the catheter tip. A very low dose of streptokinase successfully lysed this clot within 12 hours. A 60-year-old woman with acute myelogenous leukemia had a Hickman catheter placed to facilitate induction and maintenance chemotherapy. Two episodes of catheter-related Staphylococcus epidermidis sepsis later developed, the first of which cleared without removal of the cannula.
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior