PD dialysis catheter survival: a single centre study
Key Point. In a recent Spanish study of 146 patients (Rodrigues, 2023), PD catheter survival rates over 12, 24 and 36 months were 80%, 72% and 62%, respectively.
Why is this important?
Timely insertion and management of peritoneal dialysis catheter complications are crucial for the success of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of this study was to review peritoneal dialysis catheter outcomes, and assess factors influencing catheter survival.
What did the study show?
146 patients included 85 men and 61 women, with an average age of 55 years, were studied. Ninety patients (61%) had one or more comorbidities and seventeen (12%) had previous abdominal surgery.
The total number of patients with one or more PD-related infections was 99 (67%). 51 patients (31%) had a single episode and 29 (18%) had multiple episodes of peritonitis; 34 patients (21%) had a single episode of PD catheter related exit site or tunnel infection.
Sixty-six patients (45%) had PD-related mechanical complications, mostly due to outflow failure (19 patients with catheter migration, 11 with omental wrapping). The remaining non-infectious complications were hernia (n = 20), haemoperitoneum (n = 8), leakage (n = 4) and pleuroperitoneal shunt (n = 4).
Removal of the catheter was required in 49 patients (34%). The leading cause of catheter removal was infection, in 29 patients (peritonitis in 28 patients and tunnel infection in 1). Mechanical complications were also a significant factor, accounting 20 for removals (41%).
Overall PD catheter survival rates over 12, 24 and 36 months were 80%, 72% and 62%, respectively. No significant association was observed between the PD catheter survival and other risk factors including age, diabetes, comorbidities, previous abdominal surgery, method of catheter insertion or infectious complications.
How does this affect you?
When you are choosing your form of dialysis, you need to understand the pros of cons of the two main types, haemodialysis and PD. PD catheters, like AV fistulas, do not always last long-term, and you may need to have one or more.
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Last Reviewed on 26 June 2024
