Permanent catheters for hemodialysis is not ideal but sometimes considered a necessity: a prospective study

Background
It is not always easy to achieve an adequate arterio venous fistula in long-term dialysis patients; hence, permanent cuffed tunneled central venous catheters represent necessity in some ESRD patients like those with advanced age and/ or comorbid conditions.
Purpose
To report the technique and the results of the permanent tunneled catheters as a vascular access .
Patients and methods
This report describe the technique and the results of the permanent tunneled catheters as a vascular access for hemodialysis at Mansoura University Hospitals. Catheter was inserted by seldinger percutaneous technique with the use of radioscopic guidance by an experienced vascular surgeon.
Results
The study included 33 patients for whom 38 catheters were inserted (17 males,16 females), nine of whom were hypotensive, with a mean age of 48,9 years.The cumulative primary patency rate at 1 year was 52.6% and at 2 years, 21.05%. Complications developed including,tunnel haematoma, thrombosis, and infection.
Conclusion
Permanent cuffed, tunneled catheters play a larger role, particularly among those in whom finding a vascular access can be challenging.