Successful use of Tesio catheters in pediatric patients receiving chronic hemodialysis

Abstract

Semipermanent venous catheters remain the most commonly used access for chronic hemodialysis (HD) in pediatric patients. The recent availability of Tesio catheters in 7 and 10 F has expanded available HD catheter options for children and adolescents. We report our experience with Tesio catheter survival, complications, and effect on dialysis adequacy in comparison to standard dual-lumen (DL) catheters in our pediatric HD patients. Demographic data were similar between the two groups. Overall actuarial survival was significantly longer for Tesio versus DL catheters (46% versus 0% at 1 year; P = 0.003). A comparison of smaller catheters (7 F Tesio catheter, 8 or 10 F DL catheter) showed that smaller Tesio catheters had a significantly longer survival (median survival, 244 versus 13 catheter-days; P < 0.01). Tesio 10 F catheters also survived significantly longer than the larger 11.5 and 12 F DL catheters ( P < 0.02). Catheter sepsis occurred less frequently with Tesio catheters (one episode/20 catheter-months) than DL catheters (one episode/5 catheter-months) despite the longer duration of Tesio catheters. Adequate dialysis (single-pool Kt/V > 1.2) was delivered with the same frequency, but for a longer duration with Tesio catheters (76% ± 32% over 100 monthly measurements versus DL catheter, 57% ± 45% over 54 monthly measurements). Our clinical practice was to replace cuffed catheters when adequate dialysis could not be delivered. We conclude that Tesio catheters provide superior performance compared with DL catheters in terms of catheter survival, infection rates, and duration of adequate performance. © 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.