Dialysis Catheter - Catheter Placement

Catheter Placement

The catheter is placed in one of the large veins. A common site is superior vena cava or SVC. An SVC catheter is placed by puncturing the internal jugular vein in the neck (most often on the right side), and the catheter is then advanced downwards toward the chest. Alternatively an SVC catheter can be inserted via subclavian veins right behind the clavicle (the collar bone), often on the right. If the access of SVC is difficult, the femoral veins can be used. This is an inferior option, however, because the groin site is more prone to infection and also because patient cannot sit upright.