[Central catheters: a temporary access for a definitive use?]

Central venous access is an important component of hemodialysis. New materials are presently available which, during the last years, have allowed for a long term use of central venous catheters (CVC). While patients with failing fistulas still represent the majority of cases, a growing number of patients are given CVC as a primary vascular access for hemodialysis. The experience is however too short and further studies should address the question of maintenance, as well as the cost-benefit ratio of such permanent CVC.