The International journal of artificial organs
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Hemodialysis access is a challenging problem in patients with exhausted dialysis access sites of their upper extremities. Femoral arterio-venous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft is often necessary. The safety and efficacy of cuffed tunneled catheters at the femoral site for long-term hemodialysis has not been extensively studied. ⋯ Our preliminary data suggest that the cuffed tunneled femoral catheter has reasonable access survival and an acceptable risk of infection. It may provide a safe and effective access for long-term hemodialysis patients with exhausted access in their upper extremities, especially high risk patients who are not suitable for femoral PTFE graft creation.