Haemodialysis catheters – a review of design and function

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Hemodialysis (HD) catheters are a fundamental form of dialysis access. An appreciation of the principles of catheter design is important for practitioners involved in the insertion and maintenance of hemodialysis access. Although a wide range of styles and brands are available on the market, comparative clinical trials are lacking.

Areas covered

This concise review outlines common dialysis catheter characteristics and summarizes their practical relevance. Materials and surface coatings, tip geometry, side holes, and lumen cross-sectional shape are discussed.

Expert opinion

HD catheter choice should be at the operator’s discretion based on their best clinical judgment and experience. While device selection should be informed theoretic design principles, more important is a concentration on thoughtful catheter insertion and maintenance practices.

KEYWORDS:

• Catheter
• design
• hemodialysis
• lumen
• technology
• tip

Article highlights

• There are many haemodialysis catheter designs available on the market. Relevant variables include lumen shape, tip configuration, material composition, and the presence or absence of side holes.

• Dialysis catheters intended for short-term and long-term use have important differences.

• There is insufficient evidence to recommend selection of one catheter style or brand over another and clinicians should therefore exercise their own judgement.

• Computational and laboratory-based methods must be utilised to investigate optimal design traits, while future clinical studies will be better served by focussing on extrinsic factors such as insertion techniques, access site location and catheter tip positioning.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewers disclosure

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.