UC Irvine

Background and objectives

In individuals undergoing in-center hemodialysis (HD), use of central venous catheters (CVCs) is associated with worse clinical outcomes compared with use of arteriovenous access. However, it is unclear whether a similar difference in risk by vascular access type is present in patients undergoing home HD.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Our study examined the associations of vascular access type with all-cause mortality, hospitalization, and transfer to in-center HD in patients who initiated home HD from 2007 to 2011 in 464 facilities in 43 states in the United States. Patients were followed through December 31, 2011. Data were analyzed using competing risks hazards regression, with vascular access type at the start of home HD as the primary exposure in a propensity score-matched cohort (1052 patients; 526 with CVC and 526 with arteriovenous access).

Results

Over a median follow-up of 312 days, 110 patients died, 604 had at least one hospitalization, and 202 transferred to in-center hemodialysis. Compared with arteriovenous access use, CVC use was associated with higher risk for mortality (hazard ratio, 1.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.18 to 2.54) and hospitalization (hazard ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.39). CVC use was not associated with increased risk for transfer to in-center HD. The results of analyses in the entire unmatched cohort (2481 patients), with vascular access type modeled as a baseline exposure at start of home HD or a time-varying exposure, were similar. Analyses among a propensity score-matched cohort of patients undergoing in-center HD also showed similar risks for death and hospitalization with use of CVCs.

Conclusions

In a large cohort of patients on home HD, CVC use was associated with higher risk for mortality and hospitalization. Additional studies are needed to identify interventions which may reduce risk associated with use of CVCs among patients undergoing home HD.