The central venous dialysis catheter has gained wide acceptance for short-term hemodialysis with the realization of the need to spare peripheral extremity vessels for the creation of more durable internal arteriovenous fistulas. The Hemocath (Quinton Instrument Co., Seattle, Wash.), a soft, silicone rubber, double-lumen central venous dialysis catheter, was introduced as a permanent access device in 1984. A prospective evaluation of 53 catheters placed in 51 patients over a 9-month period is presented. Forty-nine catheters were placed for temporary access and four were placed for permanent access. All 53 catheters were discontinued after functioning an average of 63.9 days (range, 5 to 324 days). No major complications occurred during insertion or on dialysis. One catheter fragmented during removal and was retrieved in the operating room. Infection led to the removal of 17 catheters (34.7%). Thrombosis occurred in 11 catheters and was the cause of removal in two (4.1%). Excluding the two catheters that functioned at the time of the patient's deaths and those placed for permanent access, 91.5% of the catheters performed successfully as temporary accesses devices until permanent access sites were available for use. The catheter provided reliable, relatively safe, and easily maintained central venous access for hemodialysis.