Tunneled Dialysis Catheters: Perspective from a Single Interventional Radiology Center

Tunneled dialysis catheters (TDCs) serve as the vascu-access for 1) hemodialysis (HD) in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and end stage kidney disease (ESKD) without a functioning arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or arte-riovenous graft (AVG), and 2) plasmapheresis. TDCs out-perform central venous non-tunneled dialysis catheters (nTDCs) in the areas of catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBSI) reduction, catheter dysfunction reduc-tion, patient comfort, and use in the outpatient setting (Lok et al., 2020; National Kidney Foundation [NKF], 2006). TDC placement may be performed by an interven-tional radiologist, vascular surgeon, or interventional nephrologist; with placement by interventional radiolo-gists being predominant in the hospital setting, while interventional nephrologists performing the procedure mainly in the outpatient setting in access centers. Aims of this study were to explore indications for TDC placement and removal by interventional radiologists.