Intracardiac fistula: an unusual complication of catheter-related blood stream infection

JRSM Open. 2017 Sep 5;8(9):2054270417728230. doi: 10.1177/2054270417728230. eCollection 2017 Sep.

Abstract

In end stage renal disease patients on dialysis, the use of catheter as a vascular access is associated with a significant risk of sepsis compared to an arterio-venous fistula. Our case emphasizes the importance of having high index of suspicion for unusual complications in patients presenting with possible catheter-related blood stream infection and early use of complementary tools such as trans-oesophageal echocardiography whenever applicable.

Keywords: catheter-related blood stream infection; haemodialysis; intracardiac fistula.

Publication types

  • Case Reports