Abstract
Infection is among the leading causes of mortality for patients with end-stage renal disease. The placement of catheters for hemodialysis are common culprits of infection and have been associated with the development of complications such as venous thrombosis, bacteremia and thromboembolism. Calcification of a venous thrombus is a rare complication and infection of a right-sided thrombus can result in life-threatening septicemia and embolic complications. Herein, we describe the case of a 46-year-old patient found to have a calcified superior vena cava thrombus and bacteremia refractory to antibiotic therapy requiring surgical intervention under circulatory arrest to remove the infected thrombus gaining infectious source control and preventing future complications.
Plain language summary
Infection is among the leading causes of mortality for patients with end-stage renal disease. The placement of catheters for dialysis are common culprits of infection and have been associated with the development of complications such as blood clotting in the veins and bacteria in the blood. Calcification of a venous blood clot is a rare complication and infection of a venous blood clot can result in life-threatening blood stream infection and dislodgement of clots. Herein, we describe the case of a 46-year-old patient found to have a calcified superior vena cava clot and a blood stream infection resistant to antibiotic therapy requiring surgical intervention to remove the infected clot gaining infectious source control and preventing future complications.
References
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