Access Recirculation in Permanent Catheters of Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Treatment for end stage renal disease patients is based on dialysis; however, the presence of access recirculation (AR) decreases dialysis efficiency and adequacy. This study was conducted to determine the recirculation rate in dialysis patients undergoing hemodialysis through using a permanent catheter. 60 patients including 23 males and 37 females were enrolled. Mean age of the participants was 57.66 (± 14.08) years. Mean AR in the subjects was 9.36%, and 16 (27%) of patients had mean AR above 10%. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between AR and catheter longevity (P < .001). It is suggested to limit the use of permanent catheters to specific cases and not to use them in place of arteriovenous fistulas.