Acute vascular access: new advances

Dual lumen central venous hemodialysis catheters have become the preferred form of acute of acute vascular access. Although they provide rapid angioaccess, these catheters are associated with a number of serious insertion complications. Furthermore, prolonged use can lead to late complications including infection and central venous stenosis. Recent advances in catheter construction as well as new techniques for line placement should reduce the incidence and severity of catheter-related problems.