Is it possible to reach the catheter target proposed by the guidelines? Reasons for catheter use in prevalent hemodialysis patients

Introduction: Despite the recommendations of the clinical guidelines, the percentage of central venous catheters (CVC) continues to be above the recommended standards. We do not know whether the increasing use of catheters is due to unavoidable or avoidable factors and, in the latter case, it would be in our power to modify these results. The aim of this study was to analyze the causes that condition the use of CVC in a prevalent hemodialysis (HD) population in order to identify those modifiable factors on which to act in order to achieve the objectives of the guidelines.

Methods: Retrospective, descriptive and observational study in all prevalent patients on chronic hemodialysis belonging to 7 hemodialysis centers in Madrid, Castilla-León and Galicia in a cross-sectional study carried out in June 2021 (637 patients). The following were analyzed: age, sex, nationality, etiology of CKD, the vascular access with which they started hemodialysis, the number of previous failed arteriovenous fistulas (AVF), time since the start of HD, time since the placement of the CVC for the first time, the situation with respect to surgery and the causes of being a CVC carrier. In patients whose cause was refusal to undergo AVF, patients were asked about the cause of the refusal by directed questioning.

Results: Of the 637 patients studied, 255 (40%) had a CVC, 346 had an AVF (54.3%) and 36 (5.7%) had a prosthesis. Of the 255 patients with CVC, 20.4% (52 p) were awaiting vascular access (AVF/prosthesis), 10.2% (26 p) had an AVF but could not be used and 69.4% (177 p) were not considered candidates for surgery (due to vascular surgery (16.9%; 43 pac), nephrology (16.5%, 42 pac) and patient refusal (36%; 92 pac). The most frequent cause for refusal of AVF was fear and patient preference. One of the most important factors associated with CVC use in prevalent patients was having started hemodialysis with a CVC. The greatest use of CVC at the start of HD was significantly associated with having more than one AVF performed, or starting HD urgently and not having been followed up and evaluated in the ACKD consultation.

Conclusions: There is a high percentage of patients with a central venous catheter due to modifiable causes, which makes it necessary to systematically evaluate the process of creating AVF in order to enhance the planning, creation and maintenance of vascular access from the ACKD clinic, and to achieve the objective of the guidelines.