Objective To evaluate the effectiveness, safety and economy of sodium citrate 2.5% as lock solution for tunneled cuffed dialysis catheter. Methods Sodium citrate 2.5% versus 5% heparin were used as lock solution in the study group and control group. Adverse effect, including bleeding, hypocalcaemia seizures, and lip numbness were observed; the APTT, PT and serum calcium before and after catheter locked, catheter malfunction incidence, the use of thrombolytics and average cost were compared. Results Sodium citrate 2.5% did not affect the APTT[(28.91?4.35 )s vs (28.02?3.88)s], PT[(11.55?1.11) s vs (12.750?3.68) s], serum calcium [(1.25?0.08) mmol/L vs (1.22?0.07) mmol/L], while heparin prolonged PT[(11.30?1.85)s vs (12.75?1.32)s], APTT[(28.31?3.45)s vs (33.44?3.21)s], no difference was observed in incidence of catheter malfunction and infection, the average cost in citrate group was much cheaper than that of heparin group[0.55 yuan/one time vs 22 yuan/one time]. Conclusions Sodium citrate 2.5% is a safe and effective agent for tunneled cuffed dialysis catheter lock. It can be used alternatively as catheter lock solution besides heparin.