Clinical characteristics of hemodialysis patients with left brachiocephalic vein obstruction due to extrinsic compression or prior catheterization

Background: Left brachiocephalic vein (LBCV) stenosis is a common complication in hemodialysis patients and is a heterogenous disorder associated with either prior catheterization or extrinsic compression. This study aimed to characterize patients with LBCV stenosis or occlusion with and without a history of central venous catheterization. Methods: We performed a retrospective study in 84 hemodialysis patients with LBCV stenosis or occlusion with ( n = 22) or without ( n = 62) prior catheterization. We compared the clinical features, anatomical factors, restenosis after balloon venoplasty, and patency rates of patients in these two groups. Results: In the cohort of 84 patients with LBCV stenosis or occlusion, 73.8% (62 patients) of them had no history of catheterization. Patients without prior catheterization had more stenotic lesions ( p < 0.05) but less occlusive lesions ( p < 0.05) than patients with prior catheterization. The space between the sternum and the aorta was narrower in patients without prior catheterization than that in patients with prior catheterization ( p < 0.05). Percutaneous venography was performed in 81 patients, and the occurrence of recoil after venoplasty in patients without prior catheterization was significantly higher than that in patients with prior catheterization ( p < 0.05). The rate of stent implantation was significantly higher in patients without prior catheterization than patients with prior catheterization ( p < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in primary patency between the two groups. Conclusions: LBCV stenosis and occlusion are mainly due to extrinsic compression rather than prior central venous catheterization. Stent implantation is frequently required after venoplasty to treat LBCV obstructive lesions in patients without prior catheterization.