Abstract: An improved figure-8, dual-lumen catheter preferably includes substantially convex, smooth, smoothly curving fill-in portions at the point of entry to the vessel and the point of entry to the skin to virtually eliminate blood leakage from the vessel and to reduce bacterial passage into the patient along the catheter. Preferably, a felt cuff is positioned substantially midway between the point of entry to the skin and point of entry to the vessel to promote tissue in-growth which will fix the catheter within the patient. A method for surgically implanting the preferred catheter of this invention is also disclosed. In some applications, a single fill-in portion may be used if it is sufficiently long that it provides a convex contact between the vessel and the catheter and between the skin and the catheter.