A Retrospective Analysis of Catheter Configuration and Cuff Type: A National CAPO Registry Report

Abstract

The National CAPD Registry retrospectively collected data on 2000 patients using continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and/or continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) to determine the natural history of implanted peritoneal catheters and to estimate the survival distributions for the different configurations. The standard straight double-cuff catheter was reported as the first catheter type in 50% of Registry patients; and, as such, is the most widely-used peritoneal access system in the Registry population. In general, patients using double-cuff catheters were reported to have a lower incidence of exit-site complications as a reason for catheter removal as compared to patients using a catheter with a single, subcutaneously placed, cuff (7% vs. 13%, respectively). Improved length of catheter survival for patients using double-cuff catheters as compared to patients using catheters with a single cuff placed in the deep fascia was also observed and standard double-cuff catheters were found to have improved survival over Toronto-Western catheters. Patient selection factors across all centers have an unknown impact on catheter survival and these results should be viewed with these caveats in mind.