Mohsen Khaleghian - Zahedan University of Medical Sciences
Mohammad Aref Emami - Zahedan University of Medical Sciences
Zahra Ameri - Ali ebn Abitaleb Hospital

Introduction: Today, temporary or permanent venous catheters are being increasingly used in patients with renal failure. It seems a necessity to be familiar with their clinical applications and complications as well as their efficacy. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two catheters of ۱۶ cm and ۲۰ cm lengths. Methods: This research project was a descriptive, analytic study conducted on ۴۰ hemodialysis patients in Zahedan. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups (n=۲۰ per group). Analyses were made using Kolgromorov-Smironov test (P > ۰.۰۵) to examine normal distribution, and chi-square test for qualitative data at the significant level of a=۰.۰۵. The data were analyzed by SPSS ۱۵. Results: Infection frequency rates in ۱۶ cm and ۲۰ cm catheter groups were ۱۰% and ۱۵% respectively. The difference was not significant (P=۰.۶۳۳). The ۲۰ cm catheter was of longer efficacy duration (۷۴۴.۱±۱۰.۱۳) than the ۱۶ cm catheter (۶۲۵.۲±۴۵.۱۲). Again, the difference was not significant (P=۰.۲۵۹). Conclusions: Femoral catheters of ۱۶ cm or ۲۰ cm sizes do not differ in terms of infection or efficacy, and one cannot be preferable to the other in this regard.

Catheter, Right Femoral Vein, Hemodialysis