Dialysis catheter 1087547 189718883 2008-02-07T12:40:25Z Zolushka12 6348575 Link to German version [[Image:Catheter.gif|thumb|200px|Catheter for [[hemodialisis]]]] A '''dialysis catheter''' is a [[catheter]] used for exchanging [[blood]] to and from the [[hemodialysis]] machine from the patient. The dialysis catheter contains two [[lumen]]s: *[[Venous]] *[[Arterial]] This is a confusing terminology for layperson, because both lumens are in the vein. The arterial lumen (typically red) withdraws blood from the patient and carries it to [[dialysis]] machine, while the venous lumen (typically blue) returns blood to the patient (from the dialysis machine). [[Flow rates]] of dialysis catheters range between 200 to 500 ml/min. If a patient requires long-term dialysis therapy, a [[chronic (medicine)|chronic]] dialysis catheter will be inserted. Chronic catheters contain a [[dacron]] cuff that is tunneled beneath the skin approximately 3-8 cm. The tunnel is thought to add a barrier to infection. The most popular dialysis catheter sold on the [[market]] today is the split-tip dialysis catheter. This catheter comprises two free floating tips. ==Catheter placement== The catheter is placed in one of the large [[vein]]s. A common site is [[superior vena cava]] or SVC. An SVC catheter is placed by puncturing the [[internal jugular vein]] in the [[neck]] (often on the left side), and the catheter is then advanced downwards toward the chest. Alternatively an SVC catheter can be inserted via [[subclavian vein]]s right behind the [[clavicle]] (the collar bone), often on the right. If the access of SVC is difficult, the [[femoral vein]]s can be used. This is an inferior option, however, because the [[groin]] site is more prone to [[infection]] and also because patient cannot sit upright. ==Complications== Some common malfunctions of dialysis catheters include: clotting, infection, and kinking. ==Fistulas versus catheters== [[Cimino fistula|Surgically created arteriovenous fistulas]] are preferred over catheters for patients with chronic renal failure,<ref>Huijbregts HJ, Blankestijn PJ. Dialysis access--guidelines for current practice. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2006 Mar;31(3):284-7. PMID 16500586.</ref> as the risk of infections (e.g. [[endocarditis]], [[bacteremia]]), [[hospitalization]] and [[death]] are lower.<ref>McGill RL, Marcus RJ, Healy DA, Brouwer DJ, Smith BC, Sandroni SE. AV fistula rates: changing the culture of vascular access. J Vasc Access. 2005 Jan-Mar;6(1):13-7. PMID 16552677.</ref><ref>Allon M, Daugirdas J, Depner TA, Greene T, Ornt D, Schwab SJ. Effect of change in vascular access on patient mortality in hemodialysis patients. Am J Kidney Dis. 2006 Mar;47(3):469-77. PMID 16490626.</ref> ==References== <references/> {{treatment-stub}} [[Category:Renal dialysis]] [[Category:Catheters]] [[es:Catéter de diálisis]] [[de:Dialysekatheter]]