Indwelled femoral vein non-cuffed, double-lumen hemodialysis catheter complicated by pulmonary thromboembolism

Non-cuffed, double-lumen hemodialysis (HD) catheters can be inserted at the bedside in the femoral, internal jugular or subclavian position. The femoral route is less risky, and the incidence of life-threatening complications is lower for femoral cannulation than for internal jugular and subclavian cannulations. However, here we describe a life-threatening complication of an extensive deep vein thrombosis and subsequent pulmonary thromboembolism following femoral cannulation of a double-lumen HD catheter. The possible mechanisms and treatment for this potentially fatal thromboembolic event are discussed in this report.