Abstract: 【Abstract】Objective To investigate the application of indwelling tunneled cuffed catheter (TCC) in femoral vein for hemodialysis. Method Forty-two patients with TCC indwelling in femoral vein and 32 patients with TCC indwelling in internal jugular vein for maintenance hemodialysis during January 2016 to December 2017 were enrolled in this study. The applications of these catheters were analyzed. Results There was no significant difference in urea clearance index between the two groups using the catheters for 4 and 24 weeks (t=0.429, P=0.670 for 4 weeks; t=1.231, P=0.225 for 24 weeks). The incidence of catheter dysfunction was obviously higher in femoral vein group than in internal jugular vein group (χ2=5.891, P=0.017 for 4
weeks; χ2=51.080, P=0.000 for 12 weeks; χ2=20.857, P=0.000 for 24 weeks; χ2=24.000, P=0.000 for 36 weeks); but the blood flow of the two groups still met with the dialysis requirement after sealing the catheters with a low dose of urokinase (5000 IU/ml). Catheter- related infection developed in 3 cases in femoral vein group, but not found in internal jugular vein group. No deep vein thrombosis occurred in both groups. After 6 months in femoral vein group, the dose of urokinase increased obviously, urea clearance index decreased significantly (t=3.810, P=0.001) lower than that in internal jugular vein group (t= 3.810, P=0.001), and the rate of infection and venous thrombosis increased. Conclusion TCC indwelling in femoral vein for a short period of time (<24 weeks) can be used in patients requiring a transitional blood access for hemodialysis. This method
avoids central venous stenosis and does not interfere with the establishment of autologous arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous fistula graft.

Key words: Tunneled cuffed catheter, Femoral vein, Internal jugular vein, Hemodialysis, Vascular access