Anest. intenziv. Med. 2025;36(4):292-295 | DOI: 10.36290/aim.2025.054

Translumbar access to the inferior vena cava - rescue option for insertion of a central venous catheterShort Communication

Michálek P.1, 2, Brožek T.1, Kaván J.3, Forejtová L.3, Novák M.3, Malík J.4
1 Klinika anesteziologie, resuscitace a intenzivní medicíny, 1. lékařská fakulta Univerzity Karlovy a Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice Praha
2 Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lodzi, Polsko
3 Radiodiagnostická klinika, 1. lékařská fakulta Univerzity Karlovy a Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice Praha
4 III. interní klinika endokrinologie a metabolismu, 1. lékařská fakulta Univerzity Karlovy a Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice Praha

Long-term central venous access is currently indicated mainly in patients receiving parenteral nutrition, dialysis, or chemothera­py. Some patients require the catheter to be inserted repeatedly or for a period longer than one year. A translumbar approach with direct insertion of a central venous catheter into the inferior vena cava can be an alternative in cases of confirmed superior vena cava obstruction or significant stenosis. This technique is relatively difficult; it requires fluoroscopy or computed tomography guidance and cooperation of an interventional radiologist. This review article describes indications, technique of insertion, and complications of the translumbar approach to the inferior vena cava.

Keywords: long­‑term central venous catheter, translumbar approach, difficult venous access, complications.

Received: October 3, 2025; Revised: October 3, 2025; Accepted: November 24, 2025; Prepublished online: December 7, 2025; Published: December 10, 2025  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Michálek P, Brožek T, Kaván J, Forejtová L, Novák M, Malík J. Translumbar access to the inferior vena cava - rescue option for insertion of a central venous catheter. Anest. intenziv. Med. 2025;36(4):292-295. doi: 10.36290/aim.2025.054.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Purchase PDF - 40 CZK (1.7 EUR)
    will be unlocked 10.12.2026

    References

    1. Pereira K, Osiason A, Salsamendi J. Vascular access for placement of tunneled dialysis catheters for hemodialysis: a systematic approach and clinical practice algorithm. J Clin Imaging Sci. 2015;5:31. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    2. Michálek P, Kaván J, Lambert L, Malík J, Lainková R, Brožek T. Alternativní a nestandardní žilní přístupy pro dialyzační léčbu. Aktuality v nefrologii. 2023;29:44-51.
    3. Kenney PR, Dorfman GS, Denny DF jr. Percutaneous inferior vena cava cannulation for long­‑term parenteral nutrition. Surgery. 1985;97:602-605.
    4. Ortuno Mirete J, Conde Olasagasti J, Ruiz de Salazar D, Sanz Guajardo D, Botella Garcia J. Hemodialysis by using percutaneous catheterization of the vena cava. Rev Clin Esp. 1971;121:169-172.
    5. Denny DF jr., Dorfman GS, Greenwood LH, Horowitz NR, Morse SS. Translumbar inferior vena cava Hickman catheter placement for total parenteral nutrition. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1987;148:621-622. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    6. Denny DF jr., Greenwood LH, Morse SS, Lee GK, Baquero J. Inferior vena cava: translumbar catheterization for central venous access. Radiology. 1989;172:1013-1014. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    7. Gupta A, Karak PK, Saddekni S. Translumbar inferior vena cava catheter for long­‑term hemodialysis. J Am Soc Nephrol. 1995;5:2094-2097. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    8. Denny DF jr. Venous access salvage techniques. Tech Vasc Interv Radiol. 2011;14:225-232. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    9. Raskin D, Kirksey L, Bergen M, Gadani S, Levitin A, Quatromoni JG, et al. Translumbar and transhepatic tunneled dialysis catheter placements in the end stage renal disease population. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2025;41:339-346. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    10. Butros SR, Walker TG, Salazar GM, Kalva SP, Oklu R, Wicky S, et al. Direct translumbar inferior vena cava ports for long­‑term central venous access in patients with cancer. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2014;25:556-560. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    11. Bream PR jr., Gu E. Use of the popliteal vein as a guide for translumbar central venous access. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2015;26:295-296. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    12. Michalek P, Dutka J. Computed tomography­‑guided anterior approach to the superior hypogastric plexus for noncancer pelvic pain: a report of two cases. Clin J Pain. 2005;21:553-556. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    13. Brožek T, Dovjak P, Chovanec V, Kletečka J, Nosková P, Astapenko D. Dlouhodobé žilní vstupy v perioperační a intenzivní péči a jejich tunelizace. Anest intenziv Med. 2025;36:102-105. Go to original source...
    14. Grözinger G, Grosse U, Syha R, Hoffmann R, Partovi S, Nikolaou K, et al. CT­‑guided translumbar placement of permanent catheters in the inferior vena cava: description of the technique with technical success and complications data. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2018;41:1356-1362. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    15. Jonszta T, Czerny D, Prochazka V, Vrtkova A, Chovanec V, Krajina A. Computed tomography (CT)-navigated translumbar hemodialysis catheters: a 10-year single center experience. Med Sci Monit. 2020;26:e927723. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    16. Thakor AS, Chung J, Patel R, Cormack R, Legiehn G, Klass D. The use of cone­‑beam CT in assissting percutaneous translumbar catheter placement into the inferior vena cava. Clin Radiol. 2015;70:21-24. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    17. Bradley T, Teare T, Milner Q. Anaesthetic management of patients requiring vascular access surgery for renal dialysis. BJA Educ. 2017;17:269-274. Go to original source...
    18. Werner J, Klementova O, Bruthans J, Macoun J, Gaszynski T, Henlin T, et al. Evaluation of the i­‑gel Plus supraglottic airway device in elective surgery: a prospective international multicentre study. Anaesthesia. 2024;79:1284-1291. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    19. Ziapour B, Iafrati MD, Indes JE, Chin­‑Bong Choi J, Salehi P. Safety and efficacy of percutaneous translumbar inferior vena cava catheters: a systematic review and meta­‑analysis. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2023;34:1075-1086. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    20. Liu F, Bennett S, Arrigain S, Schold J, Heyka R, McLennan G, et al. Patency and complications of translumbar dialysis catheters. Semin Dial. 2015;28:E41-E47. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    21. Kletečka J, Vlasáková A, Nosková P, Astapenko D. Ošetřovatelská péče o centrální žilní katetr. Anest intenziv Med. 2025;36:39-42. Go to original source...
    22. Les J, Spaleniak S, Lubas A, Niemczyk S, Kade G. Early complications of translumbar cannulation of the inferior vena cava as a quick, last­‑chance method of gaining access for hemodialysis. Ten years of experience in one clinical center. Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne. 2021;16:282-288. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...

    Return to the content


    Anesteziologie a intenzivní medicína

    Madam, Sir,
    please be aware that the website on which you intend to enter, not the general public because it contains technical information about medicines, including advertisements relating to medicinal products. This information and communication professionals are solely under §2 of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. Is active persons authorized to prescribe or supply (hereinafter expert).
    Take note that if you are not an expert, you run the risk of danger to their health or the health of other persons, if you the obtained information improperly understood or interpreted, and especially advertising which may be part of this site, or whether you used it for self-diagnosis or medical treatment, whether in relation to each other in person or in relation to others.

    I declare:

    1. that I have met the above instruction
    2. I'm an expert within the meaning of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. the regulation of advertising, as amended, and I am aware of the risks that would be a person other than the expert input to these sites exhibited

    No
    Yes

    If your statement is not true, please be aware
    that brings the risk of danger to their health or the health of others.