Evaluating Short-Term Outcomes of Tunneled and Non-Tunneled Central Venous Catheters in Hemodialysis

Background: The necessity of using central venous catheters (CVCs) in hemodialysis, coupled with their associated complications, remains a critical concern in nephrology. This study aims to compare the short-term prognosis of tunneled (T-CVC) and non-tunneled (NT-CVC) CVCs in acute hemodialysis patients, specifically focusing on infection rates, malpositioning, and lumen thrombosis within the first three weeks post-insertion. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 176 CVCs placed between January and December 2023 at the Policlinico di Modena and the Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara. Patient demographics, CHA2DS2-VASc scores, and comorbid conditions were recorded at the time of catheter placement. Outcomes assessed included catheter-related infections, malpositioning, and lumen thrombosis. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, were performed to evaluate differences between T-CVCs and NT-CVCs. Results: The sample comprised 43% females with a mean age of 69.3 years (SD 13.9) and a mean CHADS-VASC score of 3.72 (SD 1.4). Hypertension (90%) was the most prevalent comorbidity. Of the 176 CVCs, 127 were T-CVCs and 49 were NT-CVCs. Infection rates were 3.15% for T-CVCs and 8.16% for NT-CVCs (p = 0.07). Malpositioning occurred in 0.79% of T-CVCs and 4.08% of NT-CVCs (p = 0.47). There was one case of lumen thrombosis in the NT-CVC group. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated a significant divergence in infection-related catheter survival favoring T-CVCs after ten days (p = 0.034). Conclusions: While non-tunneled CVCs do not significantly alter short-term prognosis compared to tunneled CVCs, the latter show a better infection-related survival rate beyond ten days. Therefore, primary insertion of T-CVCs may be preferable when resources and clinical conditions permit, although NT-CVCs remain a viable option when immediate T-CVC insertion is challenging.