Catheters

What is a Catheter?

A catheter is a narrow tube that is placed into a large central vein, usually in the patient’s neck, chest or groin. Placement of the catheter usually takes less than a half hour. Usually two tubes extend out of the body from the catheter: one allows blood out of the body (arterial port) and one allows blood back into the body (venous port).

How are catheters used?

Catheters can be used for dialysis immediately after placement. A catheter may be used when one must begin dialysis before a fistula or graft has time to mature.

Can catheters be used as a permanent access?

Some patients use permanent catheters, however, kidney and haemodialysis experts do not recommend catheters for long-term haemodialysis. Concerns with catheters include:

• More likely to become infected, clotted or fail.
• Slower blood flow rate, so dialysis may not clean the blood as thoroughly as with a fistula or graft
• Inferior access for long-term haemodialysis

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