Objective To investigate catheter dysfunction in relation to the length of chronic central venous catheter in hemodialysis patients, and to explore the factors relating to the dysfunction. Methods We recruited 231 end stage renal disease patients inserted a catheter into right internal jugular veins for vascular access. X-ray chest film was taken to determine the catheter tip position. They were then assigned into 3 groups (36 cm, 40 cm, or 45cm groups) based on the catheter length placed in the body. Their age, body height, hemoglobin (Hb), platelet (Plt), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), albumin (Alb) and disease history such as diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease were collected. Arrhythmia during dialysis using the catheter was also recorded. Catheter dysfunction rate was compared among the 3 groups. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the factors relating to catheter dysfunction. Results Blood flow during hemodialysis was 254.4±30.6ml/min, 257.7±23.1ml/min and 253.0±28.0ml/min in the 36cm, 40cm and 45cm groups (P=0.603), respectively. Statistical difference in catheter dysfunction rate was not found among the 3 groups (P=0.715) nor between the patients with the catheter tip in atrium and those outside the atrium (P=0.280). Logistic regression indicated that hemoglobin, albumin and body height were the factors relating to catheter dysfunction in hemodialysis patients with the odds ratio of 1.037 (P=0.002), 0.922 ((P=0.041) and 0.910 (P=0.002), respectively. Conclusion Hemoglobin, albumin and body height are the influence factors on catheter dysfunction, but catheter length is unrelated to catheter dysfunction in hemodialysis patients