Comparison of autogenous basilic vein, polytetrafluoroethylene and polycarbonate grafts for haemodialysis access

Abstract

This study aims to present data obtained by comparing the results of three different kinds of arterio-venous fistula (AVF) in hemodialysis patients. One hundred twenty (120) patients were operated with autogenous brachiobasilic (BBF) AVF, upper arm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polycarbonate-urethane (PCU) graft AVF in our centre between January 2015 and January 2018. They were enrolled for a retrospective study into three groups; BBF Group (n=54), PTFE Graft Group (n=36), PCU Graft Group (n=30). Their data was analyzed, primary and secondary patency rates, complications and cannulation time were calculated. Primary patency rates of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years were recorded to be respectively 81.4%, 72.2% and 59.2% in the Autogenous Arteriovenous Fistula (BBF) Group; 61.1%, 55.5% and 44.4% in the PTFE Group and 63.3%, 60% and 46.6% in the PCU Group. Infections occurred in 3.7% of BBF patients, in 8.3% of PTFE patients and 10% of PCU patients. First cannulation times were: 69± 17 (day) in BBF Group, 20 ± 5 (day) in PTFE Group and 10± 3(day) in PCU Group. BBF was observed to perform better than AVG in terms of primary and secondary patency and to result in low infection rates. On the other hand, first cannulation was performed earlier in both graft AVFs. There was no significant difference between PTFE and PCU in terms of our outcomes.