Efficacy and Safety of a Retrograde Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter: 6-Month Clinical Experience with the Cannon Catheter™Chronic Hemodialysis Catheter

Abstract

Tunneled catheters play an important role in the delivery of hemodialysis, for both temporary and long-term vascular access. Proper catheter tip positioning is critical for optimal blood flow and performance. The modular Cannon Catheter II Chronic Hemodialysis Catheter is placed tip first, then tunneled back to the exit site, in a simple technique (retrograde tunneling) that provides precise tip placement within the right atrium. This retrospective study evaluated 6-month efficacy and safety of the Cannon catheter in 38 patients. Monthly mean flow, pressure, Kt/V, and URR were determined. Safety parameters included early and late device-related complications, device removals, and device survival. 87% of subjects had history of vascular access failure. Cannon catheters were inserted via an internal jugular vein with retrograde tunneling in all patients without insertional complication. Mean flow ranged from 369.0 to 404.8 ml/min, with a trend for increasing flow over time. High flow allowed delivery of correspondingly high clearance. Mean URR remained > or = 71%; mean weekly Kt/V ranged between 1.55 and 1.60, above current K/DOQI adequacy guidelines. There were no device-related hospitalizations or deaths. Catheter-related bacteremia occurred in 3 patients over the 6 months (0.62 bacteremias/1,000 patient-days), resolving through out-patient treatment. The Cannon catheter provided extended high flow vascular access (> or = 6 months or until hemodialysis catheter-based access was no longer needed) in 95% of patients. Retrograde tunneling of the Cannon Catheter II Chronic Hemodialysis Catheter allowed optimal tip placement and high flow rates, as well as safe, reliable, extended use.