Impact of a Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter With Endexo® Technology on Catheter Dysfunction Compared With Historical Catheter Dysfunction Data in Standard Catheters

Impact of a Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter With Endexo® Technology on Catheter Dysfunction Compared With Historical Catheter Dysfunction Data in Standard Catheters (Silicone or Polyurethane): A Pilot Study

There is evidence that central venous catheters made of the permanent and non-eluting integral polymer Endexo® are more resistant to intraluminal thrombosis. This has a direct reducing effect on catheter malfunctions. Indirectly, due to reduced handling of the dysfunctional catheter, this may lead to a diminished rate of catheter related infections. Since catheter malfunctions and infections represent leading complications in a dialysis population, dialysis catheters produced with Endexo® technology have the potential to have beneficial clinical effects. In addition to improving patient outcomes, this could also reduce overall costs. In this pilot study the tunneled hemodialysis catheter BioFlo Duramax with Endexo® technology (Merit Medical, Utah, USA) will be compared with historical catheter dysfunction rates in standard tunneled dialysis catheters (silicone or polyurethane) in chronic dialysis population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients aged greater than 18 years
• Written informed consent
• Requirement for hemodialysis using a tunneled dialysis catheter

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children aged less than 18 years
• Uncontrolled infection; defined as positive blood culture in the past seven days before catheter insertion and/ or elevated C-reactive protein [CRP >5 mg/dl (normal <0.5 mg/dl)] at screening