Why do you need a Hemodialysis Catheter?
The kidneys filter the blood to get rid of waste and extra water. If your kidneys stop working, a machine can filter your blood for you - this is called dialysis, which is short for hemodialysis. Some people need dialysis for a short time, while others need it for the long term. During dialysis, a machine draws the blood from your body through plastic tubing. It filters out waste and water from your blood. Then the machine returns the clean blood to your body.
One way to get dialysis is through a special tube in the vein called a hemodialysis catheter. There are 2 types of hemodialysis catheters: nontunneled and tunneled. A non-tunneled hemodialysis catheter is put directly into a large vein, usually in your neck. It is meant to be temporary and lasts weeks. A tunneled hemodialysis catheter travels just under the skin for several inches before going into a large vein, usually in the neck. The tunnel helps lower the risk of infection. This type of catheter can last for months.
How is a Hemodialysis Catheter placed?
The clinician numbs the skin at the base of the neck and on the upper chest. They make a small nick in the upper chest. The clinician tunnels the tube under the skin of the upper chest and into a vein in the neck. They use x-rays to make sure the tip of the tube is in a big vein near the heart.
Where the catheter enters the skin will be covered with a dressing. It is very important to keep this dressing and area clean to prevent infection.
Hemodialysis Catheter Placement
1. The clinician numbs the skin of the lower neck and upper chest.
2. They tunnel a tube under the skin of the chest and into a vein in the neck. Using x-rays to guide them, they put the tip near the heart.
3. They put a dressing over the place where the catheter enters the skin.
What are the risks?
Hemodialysis catheters are generally safe when placed by a specialist.
1 in 100 people have bleeding, infection, or damage to surrounding blood vessels, nerves, or the lung.
There is a very small risk of developing symptoms from air getting into the vein.
Other risks can develop later and are a little more common
infection
blood clots around the catheter
narrowing of the vein around the catheter
the catheter can get clogged or get pulled back
What are the alternatives?
Alternative 1 Not placing the catheter. If you do not have another way to get dialysis, you may get sicker and could die.
Alternative 2 Fistula or Graft. People who expect to be on hemodialysis long-term need more permanent access. There are 2 types of permanent hemodialysis access: arteriovenous fistula and arteriovenous graft. Both involve surgery to make a connection between an artery and vein, usually in the arm.
Alternative 3 Peritoneal dialysis. This is where a tube is placed in the belly and special fluid is put in the belly and then drawn out.