title: [Success and failure with the Demers catheter in dialysis].
abstract: Between January 1995 and January 1999 54 Demers atrial catheters were implanted in 48 uraemic patients. Indications for implantation were: urgent need for haemodialysis with missing vascular access (39), fistula occlusion (7), low shunt flow (3) and problems with a previously implanted catheter (5). We observed 7 catheter infections, 5 catheter occlusions, 1 intraoperative air embolism, 3 haematomas and 1 dacron socket dislocation. The average period of use of an atrial catheter was 170 days, the longest period almost 2 years. The majority of catheters were explanted without any dysfunction. The long time of availability makes Demers atrial catheters an alternative to fistula for multimorbid patients on dialysis with poor long-term survival.
authors.affiliation: KfH-Dialysezentrum Würselen.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gladziwa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krieger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Böcker
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nilius
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D020878:Device Removal; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D014511:Uremia / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D012826:Silicone Elastomers