Introduction: Hemodialysis (HD) catheters are a fundamental form of dialysis access. An appreciation of the principles of catheter design is important for practitioners involved in the insertion and maintenance of hemodialysis access. Although a wide range of styles and brands are available on the market, comparative clinical trials are lacking.
Areas covered: This concise review outlines common dialysis catheter characteristics and summarizes their practical relevance. Materials and surface coatings, tip geometry, side holes, and lumen cross-sectional shape are discussed.
Expert opinion: HD catheter choice should be at the operator's discretion based on their best clinical judgment and experience. While device selection should be informed theoretic design principles, more important is a concentration on thoughtful catheter insertion and maintenance practices.
Keywords: Catheter; design; hemodialysis; lumen; technology; tip.