A hemodialysis catheter (10) is provided which includes a catheter body (12) having a proximal and a distal end and defining at least one lumen (14, 16). The at least one lumen includes a distal opening (22) and a side opening (24) formed through a sidewall (20) of the catheter body. The side opening communicates with the at least one lumen, and includes guiding structure (32, 140a, 240a) positioned adjacent a distal side of the side opening configured to smoothly redirect blood flow into the at least one lumen. The guiding structure may be defined by a raised wall (32), or in the alternative, an angled distal wall of the side opening (140a, 240a).
