Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the brachiocephalic artery: a rare complication of Hickman line insertion

Central venous catheterization is widely used for hemodialysis for patients with renal failure. A number of short and long-term complications have been reported in literature. We describe a rare case of a lethal iatrogenic injury of the brachiocephalic artery (BA) in a 65-year-old woman following subclavian venous catheterization with a Hickman catheter. Contrast-enhanced CT-scan and reconstruction images demonstrated a pseudoaneurysm of the BA. Due to clinical deterioration, the patient underwent urgent sternotomy. Aspects concerning prevention and diagnosis of the above complication are analyzed.