Overview
Dialysis catheter placement is a medical procedure that puts a flexible tube (catheter) into a big vein so that hemodialysis can be done right away or for a short time. People often use it when they need dialysis right away or when they don't have a permanent access point like an arteriovenous (AV) fistula. The catheter is usually placed in a large vein in the neck (the internal jugular vein), the chest, or, sometimes, the groin. There are two lumens in the device: one for removing blood for filtration and the other for returning clean blood to the body. Dialysis catheters can be used for a short time or tunnelled for a longer time.
Why It's Done
Dialysis catheter placement is done on people who have acute kidney injury or advanced kidney failure and need dialysis right away. It is also used when there is no AV fistula or graft, or when one is problematic. The catheter provides quick, reliable access to the blood vessels, so dialysis treatment can start right away.
What to Expect?
Before the procedure, blood tests are done to check how well the blood clots and lower the risk of bleeding. Cleaning and sterilising the insertion site. Most of the time, dialysis catheter placement is performed under local anaesthesia with ultrasound guidance to improve accuracy and safety. A needle is inserted into a large vein, and a guidewire is advanced into place during the procedure. After that, the catheter is threaded over the guidewire and held in place. To lower the risk of infection, tunnelled catheters make a small tunnel under the skin. Usually, the procedure takes between 30 and 60 minutes. A chest X-ray may be performed after placement to confirm that the person is in the correct position. A sterile dressing covers the site, and dialysis can often start right away.
Recovery & Outlook
Most of the time, recovery is quick, and the insertion site is only a little sore. To avoid infection or clotting, it is important to properly care for your catheter. Dialysis catheters work well for short-term use, but an AV fistula is usually better for long-term access because it is safer and lasts longer.