Hemodialysis Catheter

A hemodialysis catheter is a large intravenous (IV) line that is put into one of the main (central) veins that drain into the heart, either at the bottom of the neck or the top of the thigh. One end of the catheter sits in the heart, while the other end is tunneled underneath the skin and comes out of the skin at the chest or thigh. The catheter has two channels: through one channel, blood is drawn out of the heart and sent to the dialysis machine; through the other channel, blood is carried from the machine back to the heart.

Inserting a hemodialysis catheter is a minor outpatient procedure and can usually be done in about 30 minutes with local numbing medicine to the skin and relaxing medication given through a normal arm IV. Ultrasound and X-ray are used to guide the positioning of the catheter. Once in place, the catheter is ready for immediate use. Catheters are removed in the office when no longer needed.

Catheters must be taken care of responsibly. The catheter must be kept dry, so baths and swimming are not allowed. The area where the catheter comes out of the skin must be cleaned regularly to avoid infection, which is the biggest risk of having this catheter. Most dialysis catheters are meant to be used for only a short time (a few months) because they are associated with more serious complications than other forms of dialysis access.