Abstract: 【Abstract】Objective To explore the evaluation and treatment strategies of tunneled cuffed catheter dysfunction in hemodialysis patients. Methods The characteristics, treatment methods and curative effects of 80 cases with tunneled cuffed catheter dysfunction treated in the Department of Vascular Surgery, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Eighty patients totally subjected to 92 times of the treatment were enrolled in this study. Thirty-one were males and 49 were females. The average age was (63.45±13.7) years old. Radiography showed central venous stenosis in 75 cases. Autologous arteriovenous fistula was established in 8 cases, and arteriovenous graft was established in 4 cases in upper limb and in 3 cases in lower limb; all of the established fistulas were used normally. Thrombolytic therapy was used for 22 times in 14 cases, the average patency time was (10.22±9.62) months, and two of them had to change the catheter in situ because of recurrent catheter dysfunction in a short period of time. Fifty-two cases underwent catheter replacement in situ, and 3 cases underwent catheter replacement ectopically. The average follow-up time was (49.5±3.8) months. The patency rates were 93.2%, 82.7% and 74.0% after the treatment for 12 months, 24 months and 36 months respectively. Conclusion The treatment of tunneled cuffed catheter dysfunction should be individualized based on comprehensive evaluation of the patients so as to prolong the dialysis life of the patients.

Key words: Dialysis catheter, Catheter dysfunction, Vascular access