Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objective To explore the iconographic characteristics of deep venous catheter related fibrin sheath using color Doppler ultrasonography. Methods During the period of April 2010 to January 2011, 28 hemodialysis patients with temporary catheter were examined by color Doppler ultrasonography before removing the catheter, and thirteen of them were re-examined after the removing for one month. Results In the 28 patients, 26 (92.9%) showed the development of fibrin sheaths by color Doppler ultrasonography. Fibrin sheath at the puncture site was still found in 13 patients re-examined one month after discontinuing the catheterization. Fibrin sheaths were taken out during pulling out of the catheter in 15 of the 28 (53.6%) patients. Conclusion Color Doppler ultrasonography can obtain specific iconography of fibrin sheath following deep venous catheterization. This relatively simple method is useful for the surveillance of deep venous catheter function, and is suitable for the observation and diagnosis of deep venous catheter related fibrin sheath.

Key words: Color Doppler ultrasonography, Fibrin sheath, Deep venous catheter