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Background and Objective: Ensuring suitable access to hemodialysis, which provides high-quality dialysis over an extended period, is a significant challenge for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). One crucial aspect of this is maintaining the performance of hemodialysis catheters. Our study, which aimed to evaluate the one-year performance of long-term catheters in chronic hemodialysis patients in Golestan Province, is a critical step toward improving patient care in this population. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 99 patients (34 men and 65 women) with ESRD who were candidates for starting or continuing dialysis with a catheter in the educational and therapeutic centers of Golestan Province, Iran during 2021-22. Transjugular catheters were placed for the patients, and after one year, variables such as age, gender, history of diabetes, history of hypertension, catheter placement site (right or left jugular), and antiplatelet medication use were evaluated concerning the performance of long-term catheters in providing adequate flow for hemodialysis. Results: In 91 patients (91.9%), the one-year catheter performance was assessed as satisfactory. The age of 61.6% of the patients were over 60 years old. Sixty-nine patients (69.7%) had a history of hypertension, and 58 patients (58.6%) had a history of diabetes. Fifty-seven patients (57.6%) received antiplatelet medication. The catheters were placed on the right side in 82 patients (82.8%). Catheter performance in patients taking antiplatelet medication was non-significantly higher than in those not taking antiplatelet medicines. Conclusion: The performance of long-term catheters in chronic hemodialysis patients with ESRD showed no significant correlation with age, gender, diabetes, hypertension, antiplatelet medication use, or the side of the jugular vein where the catheter was placed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Hemodialysis is an important replacement therapy for 70-90% of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the vascular access of choice in these patients due to its higher efficiency and lower risk of mortality compared to arteriovenous grafts. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of vascular access types used in hemodialysis centers of Gorgan, Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 200 hemodialysis patients (101 men and 99 women) at 5 Azar and Sayyad Shirazi hospitals in Gorgan, north of Iran, during April 2020 to July 2021. The subjects were selected by the census method. Information including age, sex, education level, duration of dialysis, the initial and current types of vascular access, site of vascular access, history of diabetes or hypertension, race, and history of smoking were recorded in a checklist. Results: The mean age of women and men was 58.34±4.71 and 57.95±13.76 years, respectively. In addition, 61.5% of the patients were under 3 years old. The most commonly used vascular access to initiate dialysis was non-cuffed temporary catheters (69%) and AVF (24%). Smoking, ethnicity, diabetes, hypertension, and gender had no significant association with the type of vascular access used. In addition, there was no significant relationship between the duration of dialysis and the type of vascular access. Conclusion: Considering the diversity of catheters and fistulas, it is necessary to emphasize that the use of AVF in patients undergoing dialysis for the first time and the timely placement of AVF in ESRD patients can improve the quality of life of the patients. It is also recommended to use jugular catheters instead of subclavian catheters when required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]