Use of the Vectra Polyetherurethaneurea Graft for Dialysis Access in HIV-Positive Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to establish the safety, efficacy, infection rate, and patency of the Vectra graft (polyetherurethaneurea) for dialysis access in patients diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and end-stage renal disease. The Vectra graft has a unique self-sealing property; therefore we hypothesize that these patients will have fewer infections. A Vectra graft was implanted in 30 consecutive HIV-positive patients without sufficient veins for an autologous fistula. These surgeries were carried out over a 2.5-year period. Primary graft patency was 42% at 12 months and 3 (10%) of the grafts developed infection. This rate of graft infection was less (10% vs 45%) than both our prior experience and published reports using polytetrafluorothene bridge grafts. The unique self-sealing property of the Vectra graft minimizes the development of perigraft hematoma with repetitive needle cannulation and in the immunosuppressed HIV-positive patient, may account for the observed decrease in dialysis access infection.