Use of semi-permanent dual lumen catheter (SOFT-CELL) for hemodialysis

Evaluation of the appropriate position for the semi-permanent dual lumen catheter

Abstract

In this paper, we evaluated functional duration of a semi-permanent dual lumen catheter (SOFT-CELL) in 5 chronic hemodialysis patients inserted into right internal jugular vein focusing on the catheter position and the blood flow rate.
We evaluated the position (the caval atrial junction and the higher site of the superior vena cava) and the blood flow of the catheter using trans-luminal angiography and percutaneous ultrasonography. The catheter with its tip just around the level of the caval atrial junction had longer survival in three patients (from 15 to 35 months). Venous blood flow rate at that position was 20-60cm/sec lower than that at the other site. Kt/V was 1.14-1.32 in all patients.