Abstract: Objective To evaluate the factors affecting long- term survival of tunneled cuffed venous catheters (TVCs) in hemodialysis patients. Two different catheters, HemoSplit (Bard) and Permcath (Quinton) were used in this study. Methords Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log- rank test was used to compare the effect of various factors on catheter survival. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the relative importance of various factors. Results First, second or subsequent catheterizations had no effect on catheter survival. Age and sex also did not significantly affect catheter survival. Catheter survival was longer in right internal jugular vein indwelling catheterization and non-diabetic patients. HemoSplit catheter was better than Permcath catheter in catheter survival. Cox proportional hazard modelling demonstrated that diabetes and the vein the catheter indwells in were the independent factors for catheter survival. Conclusion Primary diseases and the vein for catheterization significantly affect catheter survival. These factors should be considered before the surgery.

Key words: Catheterization, Tunneled cuffed venous catheters, Central venous, Survival of TVCs, Hemodialysis, Vascular access