Comparison of use of central venous catheter and arteriovenous fistula as initial vascular access in 735 patıents with end-stage renal disease

Abstract

Aim: Although arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has been shown as the first choice for hemodialysis (HD), its superiority over central venous catheter (CVC) is still controversial considering the risk factors. Aim was to compare AVF and CVC, which should be is used as the first vascular access in HD.
 Material and Methods: Patients were divided into two groups according to the use of AVF and CVC. The groups were compared in terms of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents, HD sessions per week, end stage renal disease (ESRD) duration, HD treatment duration, patency of vascular acces and number of changes. 
 Results: When patients were grouped, 499 patients were in the CVC group and 235 patients were in the AVF group. The mean age of patients in the AVF group was higher than that of the CVC group (p=0.010). The difference between the median ESRD duration of the patients in the CVC and AVF groups was statistically significant (5 vs 6 months) (p=0.004). The duration of HD treatment was significantly longer in the AVF group (p=0.031). The median patency of their CVC was 3 months, while the median patency of their AVF was 48 months (p