Objective    To summarize the clinical application of central venous catheters in hemodialysis and explore the better central venous catheter insertion site

catheterization time and the prevention and cure of catheter-related complications.     Methods    We retrospectively analyzed 2000 times of central venous catheterization in 1966 patients of acute or chronic renal failure treated in our department from January 2000 to June 2007. The catheter insertion site was femoral vein in 450 cases

subclavian vein in 86 cases

and internal jugular vein in 1464 cases.     Results    The catheterization time in femoral vein ranged 5-75 d (mean 20.5±13.1)

that in subclavian vein 10-84 d (mean 41.8±20.1)

and that in internal jugular vein 12-155 d (mean 53.8±28.5). Infections occurred in 211 patients and blood clogging in catheter in 183

both mainly in those undergoing internal jugular vein catheterization or femoral vein catheterization. Accidental withdrawal catheter happened in 15 patients

mainly in those undergoing femoral vein catheterization. Local hematoma occurred in 19

errhysis in 81

and arrhythmia in 2

all mainly in those undergoing internal jugular vein catheterization.     Conclusion    The advantages of central venous catheterization in hemodialysis are shortcut

convenience and safety. The catheterization time in internal jugular vein is longer than that in femoral vein and subclavian vein. The catheter-related complications occurred more often in femoral vein than in subclavian vein and internal jugular vein. The first choice of catheter insertion site is internal jugular vein in clinical operation.