Peritoneal dialysis catheter design and function and implications for the clinical setting.

Abstract

Peritoneal catheters are a fundamental form of dialysis access. An appreciation of the principles of catheter design is important for practitioners involved in the insertion and maintenance of peritoneal dialysis access. Although silicone dual-cuffed catheters are standard, the optimal catheter design remains uncertain. This narrative review outlines common peritoneal dialysis catheter characteristics and summarizes their practical relevance. Catheter material, cuffs, tips, and tunneled segment shape are discussed. Peritoneal dialysis catheter selection is informed by theoretic design principles and limited clinical evidence, but operator experience and patient and center factors are probably stronger predictors of outcomes.