What is a temporary dialysis catheter called?

From the Guidelines

A temporary dialysis catheter is called a nontunneled dialysis catheter or a nontunneled central venous catheter (CVC). This type of catheter is designed for short-term use, typically for less than 2 weeks, when immediate dialysis access is needed 1. It is inserted directly into a large vein, commonly the internal jugular, subclavian, or femoral vein, with the external portion of the catheter exiting the skin near the insertion site.

• Key characteristics of nontunneled dialysis catheters include:
  • Higher infection risks compared to more permanent access options
  • Used in emergency situations, during hospitalizations, or while waiting for more permanent access like an arteriovenous fistula or graft to mature
  • Have two lumens (ports) - one to remove blood for filtering and another to return the cleaned blood to the body
  • Not recommended for long-term dialysis access due to higher complication rates, including infection and thrombosis 1.
• The KDOQI guidelines suggest that it is preferable for patients requiring hemodialysis to utilize an AV access (AVF or AVG) as opposed to a CVC, whenever possible 1.

From the Research

Temporary Dialysis Catheter

• A temporary dialysis catheter is also known as a non-tunneled hemodialysis catheter (NTHC) 2, 3.
• NTHCs are typically used when vascular access is required for urgent renal replacement therapy 2.
• They are primarily used for acute renal failure in bed-bound patients and for short-term use in patients with malfunction of permanent access 3.
• Temporary dialysis catheters can be used for long-term vascular access in chronic hemodialysis patients, with acceptable functioning time and low infection rate 4.

Characteristics of Temporary Dialysis Catheters

• Temporary dialysis catheters are non-cuffed and non-tunneled 3.
• They are usually made of polyurethane or silicone 3.
• The catheters have multiple catheter tip designs, but no one catheter has shown significant superior performance 2.

Insertion and Use of Temporary Dialysis Catheters

• The preferred site for insertion of temporary dialysis catheters is the right internal jugular vein, followed by the femoral vein 2, 3.
• The catheters should be inserted under ultrasound guidance to minimize complications 3.
• The use of catheter lock solutions, such as heparin or citrate, can help prevent catheter thrombosis or infection 5.
• The catheters can be used for single-needle or double-needle hemodialysis, with acceptable blood flow and Kt/V values 4.