Self-centering, split-tip catheter has better patency than symmetric-tip tunneled hemodialysis catheter: single-center retrospective analysis.

The performance and safety of a new self-centering, split-tip hemodialysis tunneled catheter was compared with a symmetric-tip catheter. The new catheter has a greater separation between the arterial and venous tips, with dual apertures designed to permanently face the center of the blood vessel. The design is intended to improve dialysis efficiency by increasing flow rates while decreasing recirculation, fibrin sheath formation, thrombosis, and vessel wall occlusions. The study results indicated that the self-centering, split-tip catheter had statistically greater patency after 3 months with similar clearance, blood flow, and safety.