Editorial Type:
Article Category: Letter
 | 
Online Publication Date: 15 Apr 2021

Comments on the Use of Lock Solution to Prevent Hemodialysis Catheter-Related Infection and Dysfunction

MD
Page Range: 21 – 22
DOI: 10.2309/JAVA-2021-26-01-05
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Highlights

  • Catheter-related infection remains a major cause of morbidity among hemodialysis patients.

  • In addition to the use of prophylactic lock solutions, additional maneuvers, often overlooked, can help prevent this infection: positioning the cuff of the catheter close to the exit site, properly aligning the lumens, and placing a protective gauze under the catheter at exit site.

Keywords: hemodialysis; lock solution; catheter related infection; tunnel infection; preventive maneuver
Copyright: Copyright © 2021 Association for Vascular Access. All rights reserved.
Figure 1.
Figure 1.

A double lumen catheter with fibrous cuff (arrow) in the middle of tunnel, limited space for placing protective gauze underneath, and reversed alignment of pulling (red) and returning (blue) lumen.

Figure 2.
Figure 2.

The catheter is properly aligned with pulling port hub (red) on the medial side. The entire length of the catheter distal to the cuff is fully exposed, allowing easy cleaning of the exit area and placement of protective gauze underneath.

Figure 3.
Figure 3.

Properly aligned double lumen catheter with stepped tip design with clearly delineated septum between 2 lumen. The pulling lumen opening faces away from vena cava wall.

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