Having your catheter removed in medical imaging

Having your haemodialysis catheter removed.

Your haemodialysis catheter (Permacath) is removed when it is no longer needed for dialysis. It is also removed if there is a problem with the catheter due to infection or other complications.

Who does the procedure and where is it performed?

The procedure is performed in the Angiography Suite of the Department of Medical Imaging by a Radiologist. You will be admitted to Ambulatory Care (ACC), before being transferred for the procedure.

How is the catheter removed?

You will be asked to change into a gown and to lie on the X-ray table for the procedure. After the skin is cleaned and drapes are placed over the area, local anaesthetic will be injected to numb the area. Once the area is numb, a small incision is made to remove the catheter from the vein. You may feel the catheter coming out but it should not hurt.

Once the catheter is removed, the Radiologist will stitch the incision area and cover it with a dressing. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes.

What are some of the risks of the procedure?

• Bleeding: There is the possibility of bleeding from the site where the catheter enters the skin. If bleeding occurs at home, sit upright and apply pressure with a clean cloth. This usually settles, but if bleeding is excessive or continues beyond 15 minutes, call an ambulance.
• Pain and/or swelling in your arm on the same side as your catheter: If this occurs, please go to the Emergency Department in the hospital.

How to care for my catheter site after removal

• Dressing: Keep the dressing clean and dry. Your nurse in the Renal Unit will change the dressing at your dialysis appointment. Call the Renal Unit if your dressing is loose or needs changing before your regular dialysis. If you are no longer having dialysis, the Radiologist or Medical Imaging nurse will let you know when the dressing can be removed.

• Your stitches: The Radiologist will leave instructions on when your stitches can be removed. The nurses in the Renal Unit can remove your stitches.

My hospital stay, fasting and medications?

How long will I be in hospital?

This procedure is usually performed as a day case, meaning that you can go home the same day as the procedure. You will need to stay in hospital for at least one hour after the procedure for observation. You will need to organise someone to pick you up, and take you home after the procedure. You should have someone stay with you that night. If you live further than one hour drive away, you will need to organise somewhere to stay in or around Hobart for the first night after the procedure.

Where do I go and do I need to fast?

The Medical Imaging nurse will call you at home and inform you of the time to arrive and where to go. You will not need to fast for this procedure. However, you should only have a light meal before your admission time.

Your medications

You should take all of your usual medications before the operation. If you are taking a blood thinner medications, such as:

• Aspirin (Cartia, Astrix)
• Warfarin
• Clopidogrel (Plavix)
• Xarelto (Rivaroxaban)
• Other blood thinners

Please tell your kidney doctor, as these medications are usually stopped before the procedure.

What do I need to tell the medical imaging nurse when I am called?

Please tell the nurse if:

• You have diabetes.
• You are taking a blood thinner medication.