Dialysis Catheter

A dialysis catheter is a catheter used for exchanging blood to and from the hemodialysis machine from the patient.

The dialysis catheter contains two lumens:

  • Venous
  • Arterial

This is a confusing terminology for layperson, because both lumens are in the vein. The arterial lumen (typically red) withdraws blood from the patient and carries it to dialysis machine, while the venous lumen (typically blue) returns blood to the patient (from the dialysis machine). Flow rates of dialysis catheters range between 200 to 500 ml/min.

If a patient requires long-term dialysis therapy, a chronic dialysis catheter will be inserted. Chronic catheters contain a dacron cuff that is tunneled beneath the skin approximately 3–8 cm. The tunnel is thought to add a barrier to infection. The most popular dialysis catheter sold on the market today is the split-tip dialysis catheter. This catheter comprises two free floating tips.

Read more about Dialysis Catheter:  Catheter Placement, Complications, Fistulas Versus Catheters