Situs ambiguous and absence of the inferior vena cava: an extremely rare cause of femoral hemodialysis catheter dysfunction

Abstract

Hemodialysis catheter dysfunction (CDys) has been defined by Kidney Disease utcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) guidelines as “failure to maintain an extracorporeal blood flow sufficient to perform hemodialysis without significantly lengthening the hemodialysis treatment” [1], influencing stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients’ morbidity and mortality [2]. Among the causes of CDys, those occurring within the first 2 weeks of placement are defined as early dysfunction commonly resulting from mechanical problems, which include inadequate positioning, kinking, or constriction, while late dysfunction usually results from thrombus formation [1]. However, this case report demonstrates that one must also consider other causes of CDys.