Review Article

Surface-Treated versus Untreated Large-Bore Catheters as Vascular Access in Hemodialysis and Apheresis Treatments

Table 4

Potential health care cost reductions that could be achieved through the use of surface-treated catheters [45].

DeviceHemodialysisAverage infection (%)

Annual usage (devices)125,971
Infection rate (%)5–20Rate: 12
Cost ($) of complication
(due to infection)
3.517
Cost ($) of coating12
Reduction of infections (%)10–65Reduction 40
Market size (1997) ($)12.6 million
Price ($) of each device
(surface treatment)
120
Savings ($) per year by using surface-treated devices 17.7 milionReduction 40