Anatomical Anomalies of Femoral Vein are Not Observed in Indian Patients with Renal Failure: Ultrasound-based Study

Background Femoral vein catheterization is the easiest and safest method for obtaining temporary vascular access in hemodialysis patients. We studied the structure and anatomical variation of femoral veins in uremic patients using ultrasound imaging. Methods Ultrasonography of femoral vessels was carried out bilaterally in patients with acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure (CRF). The relationship between ultrasonographic measurements of femoral vessels and anthropometric data were evaluated using Pearson's method. Results A total of 157 patients (67 ARF, 90 CRF) were included in the study. The majority of the patients were male (68.8%), and mean age was 43.29 ± 16.74 years. Mean height, weight, and body mass index were 163.94 ± 8.53 cm, 61.96 ± 12.37 kg, and 22.99 ± 3.68 kg/m 2 , respectively. Mean depth of the femoral artery was 10.74 ± 4.74 mm on the left side and 9.92 ± 3.98 mm on the right side. Mean diameter of the femoral artery was 7.77 ± 1.57 mm on the left side and 7.64 ± 1.45 mm on the right side. Mean distance of the femoral vein from the skin surface was 13.68 ± 4.98 mm on the left side and 12.76 ± 4.85 mm on the right side. Mean diameter of the femoral vein was 9.47 ± 2.15 mm on the left side and 9.37 ± 2.25 mm on the right side. The femoral vein had adequate diameter (≥ 5 mm) on both sides in all patients. Abnormal location of the femoral vein was not observed in our study. The depth of femoral vasculature was deeper in overweight and obese patients compared to normal weight patients. Femoral artery puncture, multiple attempts before successful catheterization, and hematoma formation were observed in 11.0%, 13.5%, and 5.4% of patients, respectively. Conclusion Anatomical variation and location anomalies of the femoral vein were not observed in Indian uremic patients. Femoral vein diameter was adequate (≥ 5 mm) in all patients bilaterally. However, there was a slight variation in depth (> 1 mm) and diameter (0.1 mm) of femoral vasculature between the left and right sides (left > right).