Clinical outcome of the Tal Palindrome chronic hemodialysis catheter: single institution experience.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report the authors' clinical experience with the Tal Palindrome chronic dialysis catheter with a symmetric tip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 39-month period, 126 Palindrome catheters were placed consecutively in 85 patients. Follow-up was available for 115 catheters. Insertion complications, patency, catheter-related bacteremia, exit site infections, and reasons for catheter removal were recorded. The patient's initial cause of end-stage renal disease, underlying diseases, and site of access were recorded as well. RESULTS: Patient ranged in age from 35 to 91 years (median, 69 years). Fifty percent of patients had diabetes. One hundred twenty-six Palindrome catheters were placed for a total of 12,046 catheter-days. The technical success rate of catheter placement was 100%. The average catheter indwell time was 105 days (range, 1-673 days). Catheters were inserted via the right (n = 107) or left (n = 19) jugular vein in all patients without insertional complication. Catheter-related infections occurred in 16 of the 115 catheters (13.9%) during the study period and culture-proved bacteremia occurred in four (3.5%). Seven exit site infections were recorded, and 10 catheters (8.7%) developed fibrin sheaths that necessitated catheter exchanges. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical experience with the Tal Palindrome hemodialysis catheter demonstrated safe and reliable use with low infection rates.