Tunnelled Cuffed Catheters for Dialysis

Tunnelled Cuffed Catheters

Tunneled cuffed catheters are specialized vascular access devices commonly used for long-term hemodialysis in patients with chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease. Here’s an overview of their key features and considerations:

Purpose

Tunneled cuffed catheters are designed to provide reliable and durable vascular access for hemodialysis. They are suitable for patients who require hemodialysis but do not have viable veins for arteriovenous fistulas or grafts, or for whom these options are not feasible.

Design

Tunneled: These catheters have a segment (the tunnel) under the skin, which helps stabilize the catheter and reduce the risk of infection compared to non-tunneled catheters.

Cuffed: They have a cuff or collar made of biocompatible material (such as Dacron or silicone) near the exit site of the catheter. The cuff encourages tissue ingrowth, which helps secure the catheter in place and reduces the risk of infection by creating a barrier against bacteria.

Insertion and Placement

Insertion:: Tunneled cuffed catheters are typically inserted by a trained healthcare professional, often under local anesthesia and sterile conditions. The procedure is usually performed in an interventional radiology suite or an operating room.

Placement: The catheter is placed into a large central vein near the heart, such as the internal jugular vein, subclavian vein, or femoral vein. This location ensures adequate blood flow for hemodialysis treatments.

tunneled cuffed catheters are valuable vascular access devices for long-term hemodialysis in patients with chronic kidney disease. Their design and placement aim to minimize complications while providing reliable access for necessary dialysis treatments over an extended period.

Dr. Virendra Chauhan

MBBS, DNB Medicine, DrNB Nephrology