title: Catheter access for hemodialysis: an overview.
abstract: The provision of hemodialysis requires repeated, reliable access to the central circulatory system. Long-term hemodialysis has best been provided by arteriovenous fistulae and arteriovenous grafts. In recent years, more and more patients have been chronically dialyzed with tunneled dialysis catheters. These catheters, which were originally developed as a short-term bridge to permanent vascular access, have made up an increasing percentage of maintenance vascular access. While these catheters have the advantage of ease of placement and are immediately ready for use, they substantially increase the risk of bacteremia, stenosis of central veins, and even mortality.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Butterly
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Schwab
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D008134:Long-Term Care; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity