Hemodynamic Analysis of the Geometric Features of Side Holes Based on GDK Catheter

Hemodialysis is an important means to maintain life in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Approximately 76.8% of patients who begin hemodialysis do so through catheters, which play vital roles in the delivery of hemodialysis to patients. During the past decade, the materials, structures, and surface-coating technologies of catheters have constantly been evolving to ameliorate catheter-related problems, such as recirculation, thrombosis, catheter-related infections, and malfunction. In this study, based on the commercial GDK catheter, six catheter models (GDK, GDK1, GDK2, GDK3, GDK4, and GDK5) with different lumen diameters and different geometric features of side holes were established, and computational flow dynamics (CFD) were used to measure flow rate, shear stress, residence time (RT), and platelet lysis index (PLI). These six catheters were then printed with polycarbonate PC using 3D printing technology to verify recirculation rates. The results indicated that: (1) the catheter with a 5.5 mm outer diameter had the smallest average shear stress in the arterial lumen and the smallest proportion of areas with shear stress > 10 pa. With increasing catheter diameter, the shear stress in the tip volume became lower, the average RT increased, and the PLI decreased due to larger changes in shear stress; (2) the catheters with oval-shaped side holes had smaller shear stress levels than those with circular-shaped holes, indicating that the oval design was more effective; (3) the catheter with parallel dual side holes had uniformly distributed flow around side holes and exhibited lower recirculation rates in both forward and reverse connections, while linear multi-side holes had higher shear stress levels due to the large differences in flow around side holes. The selection of the material and the optimization of the side holes of catheters have significant impacts on hemodynamic performances and reduce the probability of thrombosis, thus improving the efficiency of dialysis. This study would provide some guidance for optimizing catheter structures and help toward the commercialization of more efficient HD catheters.