Seminars in dialysis
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Vascular access dysfunction is a major cause of morbidity in hemodialysis (HD) patients. An upper extremity autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) that preferentially involves the cephalic vein is the access of choice for HD patients, followed by autogenous AVF utilizing the basilic vein and the use of prosthetic arteriovenous grafts (AVGs). ⋯ Catheter locking solutions have been used both prophylactically and therapeutically for catheter thrombosis as well as catheter-related infections, with varying degrees of success. This review aims to address the different catheter locking solutions, their advantages and disadvantages, and new directions in this field.