Catheter Placement, Exchange, and Removal
Dialysis Catheter Placement, Exchange, and Removal in Arizona
What is a Central Venous Catheter (CVC)?
A central venous catheter (CVC) is a soft tube placed into a large vein in the neck, chest, or groin. It provides immediate access for hemodialysis when a patient needs to start treatment right away. Catheters are meant to be temporary while a long-term access, such as a fistula or graft, heals and becomes ready to use.
How Catheter Placement Works
During placement, the skin is numbed and the catheter is gently guided into a central vein using imaging. The catheter is tunneled under the skin to lower the risk of infection and then secured in place. Patients will go home the same day, and the catheter can be used for dialysis immediately.
Catheter Removal
Once your fistula or graft is ready, the catheter is removed. This is usually a quick outpatient procedure. The area is numbed, the catheter is gently taken out, and a small bandage is applied. Most patients can return to normal activities shortly after.
Caring for a Dialysis Catheter
Dialysis catheters require careful care to prevent infection and keep them working well. Your care team will check the site and change the dressing at every treatment. The dressing must stay clean and dry at all times. You will need to avoid swimming and protect the catheter during showers.
Call your care team if you notice redness, swelling, drainage, fever, chills, or if the catheter seems out of place. These can be early signs of infection or catheter problems.
Why are Catheters Temporary?
Although dialysis catheters allow immediate treatment, they have higher risks of infection and vein problems compared to fistulas or grafts, and they can cause scarring or narrowing (stenosis) of central veins. For this reason, catheters are used only as short-term access while your permanent access heals and becomes ready.
Catheter Care at SKI Vascular
Our team at SKI Vascular provides safe placement, exchange, and removal of dialysis catheters in a comfortable outpatient setting. We work closely with your nephrologist to ensure your treatment continues smoothly and to support your transition to a long-term access option as soon as possible.