Permanent Vascular Access For Hemodialysis Research Articles

A Comparative Study of Continuous Versus Interrupted Suturing Technique in Creating a Vascular Access for Hemodialysis: An Institutional-Based Experience.

Background Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are considered the first and best access for patients with end-stage renal disease who need permanent vascular access for hemodialysis over arteriovenous grafts and central venous catheters for reasons that have been well-established. Poor early patency rates pose the biggest challenge in creating vascular access as they cause increased morbidity and economic/psychological concerns among patients. To minimize such effects, it is critical to use a patient-centered approach and carefully choose patients for AVF access creation. This study aimed to compare the primary patency of distal vascular access provided by continuous suturing versus that provided by interrupted suturing. Methodology This prospective study was conducted in the urology department of a superspecialty, tertiary care center from November 2021 to November 2022. Patency was assessed immediately after surgery (on the table), one month later, and six months later by palpating thrill and auscultating bruit. A total of 50 patients between the ages of 18 and 70 years who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to two groups of 25 each. Results The baseline characteristics of both groups were comparable. At six months (p = 0.09), the continuous suturing group was observed to be somewhat better than the interrupted suturing group, with no significant difference in immediate and one-month patency rates. When compared to the continuous suturing group, the primary patency failure rate was significantly higher in the interrupted suturing group. Conclusions Thus, under appropriate circumstances, continuous sutures can be performed with greater ease, resulting in anastomosis that is as patent as that performed with interrupted sutures.

Evaluation of outcomes with permanent vascular access in an elderly Korean population based on the National Health Insurance Service database.

As nearly half of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who initiate hemodialysis (HD) are over 65 years old (commonly defined as elderly), the fistula first strategy is controversial even in HD patients ≥65 years. In Korea's National Health Insurance Service database from 2008 to 2019, 41,989 elderly (≥ 65 years) HD patients were retrospectively reviewed to identify their clinical characteristics and outcomes. Vascular access (VA) patencies, risk factors associated with patencies and patient survival between arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) were compared. Elderly AVF group (n=28,467) had superior primary, primary assisted, and secondary patencies than elderly AVG group (n=13,522) (all p values are <0.001). Patient survival was also better in the elderly AVF group than in the elderly AVG (p < 0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analyses for diverse outcomes, AVG (vs. AVF) was identified as a risk factor for all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.307; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.272-1.343; p < 0.001), primary patency (adjusted HR: 1.745; 95% CI: 1.701-1.790; p < 0.001), primary-assisted patency (adjusted HR: 2.163; 95% CI: 2.095-2.233; p < 0.001), and secondary patency (adjusted HR: 3.718; 95% CI: 3.533-3.913; p < 0.001). Our study demonstrated that as a permanent VA for HD, AVF should be strongly considered in elderly (≥ 65 years) ESKD Korean patients. The age limit for AVF creation in ESKD patients should be adjusted more upward.

История применения гомографтов в сосудистой хирургии (литературный обзор)

INTRODUCTION: In the article, problems of use of allografts from a posthumous donor in the practice of a vascular surgeon are analyzed. The need for donor material in special clinical situations is reflected. The main stages of the historical development of the use of homografts are listed. The experience of foreign and domestic authors in reconstructive interventions on the main vessels and aorta using homografts is demonstrated in the historical perspective of the XXth century. Historical milestones in the development of tissue banks in the world are considered on an example of America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Russia. The legal regulation of use of homografts is at present especially relevant for the Russian Federation. The use of homografts as a material for reconstruction is stated to be within the legal framework of the Russian Federation. A large number of modern studies in the 21st century are carried out with choice of cadaveric homografts, both cryopreserved and of wet storage, as the material for reconstruction of the main arteries. Critical ischemia is a probable indication for the use of cadaveric homographs, but their implantation shows ambiguous results. Infection of a permanent vascular access for hemodialysis can also be considered as an indication for the use of a venous homograph as the material for access reconstruction. CONCLUSION: The donor material is currently being actively used in the practice of vascular surgery in many centers, and the hope for the diversification of clinical indications is growing, as well as for homografts finding the place in Russian clinical guidelines in future.

Overview of hemodialysis access and assessment.

To provide family physicians with an evidence-based overview on the various methods of vascular access for hemodialysis (HD) and to provide a framework for the clinical assessment of HD access. A MEDLINE literature search was conducted using the MeSH terms arteriovenous fistula, arteriovenous graft, central venous catheter, and hemodialysis (or haemodialysis), including all relevant English-language articles published between January 1995 and September 2021. The main types of permanent vascular access for HD are arteriovenous fistulas, arteriovenous grafts, and central venous catheters. A pragmatic, patient-centred approach is required when choosing the type of access for an individual. Common complications of vascular access creation include thrombosis, central venous stenosis, dialysis access steal syndrome, and arteriovenous fistula aneurysms. Family physicians play an important role in the clinical assessment and monitoring of HD vascular access. A thorough clinical assessment can detect a failing arteriovenous fistula and any associated complications, which can allow for prompt investigation and intervention to restore functionality, maintain access longevity, and improve patient quality of life.

The importance of ultrasonography in surgical treatment of vascular access for hemodialysis complications

Background. Most complications of vascular access for hemodialysis require surgical treatment and if ineffective lead to fistula loss and depletion of the vascular resource for the new fistula creation.Objective. To identify complications of permanent vascular access for hemodialysis which require surgical treatment and evaluate its results using duplex scanning.Design and methods. Ultrasonography, clinical and laboratory examinations were performed in 550 patients undergoing hemodialysis.Results. Complications of vascular access for hemodialysis were detected in 154 (28.0 %) patients, surgical treatment was performed in 96 (62.3 %) patients. The main indications for surgical treatment were: significant stenosis, occlusive thrombosis, non-occlusive thrombosis in combination with significant vein stenosis, aneurysm with increased access flow, ischemic steal syndrome of the hand and pulsating hematoma. The analysis of surgical interventions showed that the creation of a new access was more often performed (41.7 %) compared to other types of fistula reconstructions which leads to a decrease in the number of vessels in the upper extremities that can be used to create access in the future.Conclusion. Duplex ultrasound allows diagnosing vascular access for hemodialysis complications and evaluating the results of their surgical treatment.

THE I NFLUENCE OF INTRАDIАLYTIC HYPOTENSION ON THE FUNCTIONING OF АRTERIOVENOUSFISTULА

Introduction. Nowadays hemodialysis is the most widespread way of treatment concerning the end-stage renal disease. The variant of choice as for permanent vascular access for hemodialysis is arteriovenous fistula. An actual problem is the deterioration of the patency of arteriovenous fistula. According to the research, most patients do not know about the risks associated with intradialytic hypotension. Under these conditions, research with determining the level of critical intradialytic hypotension is particularly relevant.&#x0D; Purpose of the work is to study and evaluate intradialytic hypotension as a risk factor for thrombosis of arteriovenous fistulas.&#x0D; Materials and methods. 60 patients were examined with end-stage renal disease, receiving of hemodialysis. Among these patients a thrombosis of arteriovenous fistula appeared in the long term (7.5 (3.0–17.6) months) after the surgery. The average age of patients was (54.1 ± 11.8) years; there were 30 (50%) men, 30 (50%) women.&#x0D; Results. According to the results of our study, 38 (63 %) patients had hypotension at the end of the hemodialysis session.&#x0D; Conclusions. Blood hypotension is one of the main predictors of thrombosis of arteriovenous fistula in the late postoperative period. A decrease in systolic blood pressure on 35.0 (25.0–50.0) mm Hg to 100.0 (90.0–110.0) mm Hg is critical for the patency of arteriovenous fistula. Adequate control and correction of blood pressure (in particular, during a hemodialysis session) can prevent thrombosis of arteriovenous fistula.

The value of ultrasound in the multivariate assessment complications of permanent vascular access for hemodialysis

Background. The maximum duration of vascular access for hemodialysis functioning rarely exceeds 4 years. The main tool for diagnosing access dysfunction is duplex ultrasound. Dynamic ultrasound examination of vascular access is not included in the standard examination of patient undergoing hemodialysis in Russia.Objective. To study the structure of complications and changes in hemodynamics in the vascular access for hemodialysis and to determine the risk factors contributing to its development.Design and methods. Ultrasound, clinical and laboratory examination was performed in 550 patients undergoing program hemodialysis, 517 (94.0 %) of them had arteriovenous fistula, 33 (6.0 %) patients had arteriovenous graft.Results. Vascular access complications occurred in 26.7 % (147 patients), there was no significant difference in the detection rate of thrombosis (26.5 %), stenosis (23.8 %), and aneurysm (21.1 %). A combination of two complications was observed in 20.4 %, the steal syndrome — in 8.2 %. A correlation was established between the presence of significant stenosis, aneurysm of the outflow vein and the development of thrombosis, between the presence of concomitant diseases of the peripheral arteries and the development of steal syndrome and stenosis of the inflow artery and the anastomosis zone.Conclusion. Duplex ultrasound allows to diagnose complications of vascular access for hemodialysis and determine its causes.

Hemodialysis arterio-venous graft design reducing the hemodynamic risk of vascular access dysfunction

Although arterio-venous grafts (AVGs) represent the second choice as permanent vascular access for hemodialysis, this solution is still affected by a relevant failure rate due to graft thrombosis, and development of neointimal hyperplasia (IH) at the distal vein. As a key role in these processes has been attributed to the abnormal hemodynamics establishing in the distal vein, the optimization of AVGs design aimed at minimizing flow disturbances would reduce AVG hemodynamic-related risks. In this study we used computational fluid dynamics to investigate the impact of alternative AVG designs on the reduction of IH and thrombosis risk at the distal venous anastomosis. The performance of the newly designed AVGs was compared to that of commercially available devices. In detail, a total of eight AVG models in closed-loop configuration were constructed: two models resemble the commercially available straight conventional and helical-shaped AVGs; six models are characterized by the insertion of a flow divider (FD), straight or helical shaped, differently positioned inside the graft. Unfavorable hemodynamic conditions were analyzed by assessing the exposure to disturbed shear at the distal vein. Bulk flow was investigated in terms of helical blood flow features, potential thrombosis risk, and pressure drop over the graft.Findings from this study clearly show that using a helically-shaped FD located at the venous side of the graft could induce beneficial helical flow patterns that, minimizing flow disturbances, reduce the IH-related risk of failure at the distal vein, with a clinically irrelevant increase in thrombosis risk and pressure drop over the graft.

Safety and Efficacy of Infraclavicular Arterio-arterial Chest Wall Prosthetic Loop Graft for Hemodialysis Access. A Review of 45 Patients

Introduction: Increase the need for hemodialysis (HD) due to concomitant increase incidence of nephropathic disease in association with increase in patients' life expectancy in the last three decades, makes it necessary to establish secondary or tertiary dialysis access to overcome exhausted peripheral veins and central venous occlusion.The increase of patients' life expectancy, with the limited durability of these angioaccesses, increases the demand to repeat fistula construction at different upper extremity levels (wrist, forearm, upper arm) and can ultimately result in exhaustion of autogenous AVF.(3) Methods: We conducted an analysis of prospectively collected data over a 3-year period in between December 2014 and December 2017 for 45 patients (32 men, 13 women) with ESRD who underwent infraclavicular arterio-arterial chest wall prosthetic graft procedures as a permanent vascular access for hemodialysis. After the local hospital’s ethical and scientific committee approved the study protocol, patients were enrolled at Vascular Surgery Unit, Benha University/Department of Surgery, Vascular Surgery Department, Nile Insurance Hospital & Vascular Surgery Department, Helwan University. An IAALG procedure was indicated only for patients who had no suitable superficial cephalic and basilic veins for an AVF and who belonged to one of the following indication:1.Cardiac insufficiency that was refractory to medical therapy confirmed by echocardiography based ejection fraction ≤ 40%.2.The unsuitability of large six deep veins (the subclavian, internal jugular and femoral veins). A vein was considered unsuitable when an occlusion or high-grade long stenosis (<70% in diameter, >4 cm long) of the venous outflow was detected and could not be treated by any interventions.3.Patients with at least one patent central vein that should be preserved as bailout access for an emergency central venous catheter (CVC). Results: The primary patency rates were 100%, 97.7%, 93%, 77.5% and 73.7% at 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. The secondary patency was 100%, 88.7%, and 66.6% at 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively, after successful thrombectomy in nine patients. There were 20 (44.4%) secondary variable procedures performed during follow-up period Eighteen (40%) patients required 20 secondary procedures due to complications. The most common complication was graft thrombosis; it occurred in 11 patients (24.4%), surgical thrombectomy done in 9 (20%) patients, the other two thrombosed grafts were secondary to late graft infection that necessitate grafts removal. Puncture site aneurysm occurred in 7 cases (15.6%) with no procedure related mortality or limb threatened conditions were documented in our study. Conclusion: our case study reports reasonable mid-term patency and complications associated with this pattern of vascular access show that Infraclavicular arterio-arterial axillary loop grafts are a valid alternative option for complex patients. We advocate the use of this technique in patients with exhausted all vascular access possibilities in both upper extremities with central venous obstruction. We also indicate it in case of patients with cardiac insufficiency that could not tolerate long-term hemodynamic effect of arterio-venous fistula / graft.

Evaluation of Diagnostic Values of Clinical Assessment in Determining the Maturation of Arteriovenous Fistulas for Satisfactory Hemodialysis.

Background:Fistulas are the preferred permanent hemodialysis vascular access, but a significant obstacle to increasing their prevalence is the fistula's high “failure to mature” (FTM) rate. This study aimed to identify postoperative clinical characteristics that are predictive of fistula FTM.Materials and Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 80 end-stage renal disease patients who referred to Al Zahra Hospital, Isfahan, for brachiocephalic fistula placement. After 4 weeks, the clinical criteria (trill, firmness, vein length, and venous engorgement) examined and the fistulas situation divided to favorable or unfavorable by each criterion, and the results comprised with dialysis possibility. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 21. Diagnostic index for CLINICAL examination was calculated.Results:Among the 80 cases, 25 (31.2%) female and 55 (68.8%) male were studied with the mean age of 51.9 (standard deviation = 17) year ranged between 18 and 86 years old. Sixty-two (77.5%) cases had successful hemodialysis. All four clinical assessments were significantly more acceptable in patients with successful dialysis (P < 0.001). According to the results of our study, the accuracy of all physical assessments was above 70% and except vein length other criteria had a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100%. In this study, firmness of vein has highest specificity and positive predictive value (83.9% and 64.3%, respectively).Conclusion:Results of our study showed that high sensitivity and relatively low specificity of the clinical criterion. It means that unfavorable results of each clinical criterion predict unfavorable dialysis. Clinical evaluation of a newly created fistula 4–6 weeks after surgery should be considered mandatory.

Central venous catheter as vascular approach for hemodialysis - our experiences.

Introduction:Application of a central venous catheter (CVC), as a temporary or permanent vascular access for hemodialysis, has been continuous practice at the Sarajevo Pediatric Clinic, Department of Pediatric Intensive Care. The main goal of the article is to present our experiences with central venous catheters in the treatment of these patients.Material and methods:In the period from January 2009 to December 2014 a total of 41 patients were treated and a total of 56 catheters were placed.Results:The results show the prevalence of the femoral venous catheter (69,64%), with significantly smaller participation of jugular (28,57%) and symbolic participation of subclavian catheters (1,78%). Frequency of infections of 8,92% in our article is lower than the percentage contained in the data of the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System, which provided data related to 17% of catheter related infections. The most common agents of the catheter related infections in our patients are gram-negative bacteria from the Klebsiella pneumoniae group.Conclusion:The issue of the higher complication percentage during the treatment is linked with hemostasis related to bleeding into or around the catheters in 28,57% of patients, and to clotting disorder in terms of thrombosis in 10,71% of patients.

Conversion des abords vasculaires d’urgence pour hémodialyse en fistules natives au Rwanda : à propos de 37 cas

Chronic hemodialysis in Rwanda is relatively recent and most of patients are treated with catheters. SummaryThirty-seven patients who require chronic hemodialysis with catheters were evaluated during a 3-years period in order to facilitate the creation of a permanent vascular access for hemodialysis (AVF). Patient selection were made during a multi-disciplinary consultation. The sex-ratio was 1.5 and the main cause of the nephropathy was arterial hypertension. ResultsThirty-one patients benefited from the creation of an arterioveinous fistula. All of the interventions were performed using local or loco-regional anesthesia. Sixty percent of these AVF were radio-cephalic, 35.4% were humero-cephalic. Sixty-four percent of the operations were performed on ambulatory patients, with a primary function for 90% of them. ConclusionThis work proves the feasibility of the creation of AVF in Rwanda, thus allowing to preclude the various complications that arise with the prolonged use of a catheter. This experience was made possible by the pooling of the resources of 4 of Rwanda's leading hospitals. In an early future, the development of vascular surgery will assure the permanence of this care.

Initial vascular access type in patients with a failed renal transplant.

Permanent hemodialysis vascular access is crucial for RRT in ESRD patients and patients with failed renal transplants, because central venous catheters are associated with greater risk of infection and mortality than arteriovenous fistulae or arteriovenous grafts. The objective of this study was to determine the types of vascular access used by patients initiating hemodialysis after a failed renal transplant. Data from the US Renal Data System database on 16,728 patients with a failed renal transplant and 509,643 patients with native kidney failure who initiated dialysis between January 1, 2006, and September 30, 2011 were examined. At initiation of dialysis, of patients with a failed transplant, 27.7% (n=4636) used an arteriovenous fistula, 6.9% (n=1146) used an arteriovenous graft, and 65.4% (n=10,946) used a central venous catheter. Conversely, 80.8% (n=411,997) of patients with native kidney failure initiated dialysis with a central venous catheter (P<0.001). Among patients with a failed transplant, predictors of central venous catheter use included women (adjusted odds ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.63 to 1.87), lack of referral to a nephrologist (odds ratio, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.72 to 2.33), diabetes (odds ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.22), peripheral vascular disease (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.16 to 1.48), and being institutionalized (odds ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.23 to 1.89). Factors associated with lower odds of central venous catheter use included older age (odds ratio, 0.85 per 10 years; 95% confidence interval, 0.83 to 0.87), public insurance (odds ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.68 to 0.80), and current employment (odds ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.80 to 0.95). Central venous catheters are used in nearly two thirds of failed renal transplant patients. These patients are usually followed closely by transplant physicians before developing ESRD after a failed transplant, but the relatively low prevalence of arteriovenous fistulae/arteriovenous grafts in this group at initiation of dialysis needs to be investigated more thoroughly.

Creation of arteriovenous fistulae for hemodialysis in octogenarians

Elderly patients, defined as octogenarians and nonagenarians, are an increasing population entering renal replacement therapy. Advanced age appears as an exclusive factor negatively influencing dialysis practice. Elderly patients are referred late for the initiation of hemodialysis and more likely are offered catheters rather than arteriovenous fistulae (AVF), which increase mortality and negatively affect quality of life. We present our approach to the creation of vascular access for hemodialysis in this demanding population. In 2006-2012, 39 patients aged 85.9 ± 2.05 with end-stage renal disease, mainly resulting from ischemic nephropathy, were admitted to the Department of Nephrology to establish permanent vascular access for hemodialysis: preferably AVF. Temporary dialysis catheters were implanted in uremic emergency to bridge the time to fistula creation/maturation. AVF was attempted in 87.2% of the patients. Primary AVF function was achieved in 54% of the patients. Cumulative proportional survival of AVF at months 12 and 24 was 81.5%. Ninety-four percent of AVF were localized on the forearm: 74% in the distal and 20% in the proximal part. Mean duration of hemodialysis therapy was 20.80 ± 19.45 months. The mean time of AVF use was 15.9 ± 20.2 months. Until present, 38% have been dialyzed using AVF for 31.0 ± 18.8 months. Five patients died with functioning fistula. Eight patients initiated hemodialysis therapy with fistula. During further observation, the use of AVF increased to 62%. Elderly patients should not be denied creation of AVF as a rule. The outcome of AVF benefits more from acknowledging individual vascular conditions rather than age of the patient.

Outcome and complications of permanent hemodialysis vascular access in Nigerians: A single centre experience

It is widely accepted that autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) carries less morbidity and mortality compared to all other forms of vascular accesses in maintenance hemodialysis patients. There is paucity of data on vascular access from sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome and complications of permanent vascular access in our center. The study is a prospective, hospital-based, longitudinal study. All consecutive patients on maintenance hemodialysis in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital who were referred to the surgical unit of for creation of permanent hemodialysis vascular access were included in the study. The patient's clinical and demographic data were documented. Data about vascular access types, outcomes, and complications were obtained over a 1-year period from the time of vascular access creation. One hundred and seventy four patients were operated upon between January 2008 and December 2010 with a mean age of 46.4 years (range 18-76 years) and a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. Brescio--Cimino fistula was performed in 110 (63.2%) patients, brachiocephalic (Kauffmann) fistula in 51(29.3%), and synthetic graft in 1 (0.6%) patients respectively. Ten patients (5.7%) had brachio-brachial transposition arteriovenous fistula and 2 patients (1.1%) had transposition graft using harvested long saphenous vein. One-year patency rate was 63.2%. Complications encountered include AVF failure in 47(27.3%), steal syndrome in 2(1.1%), distal venous insufficiency in 2(1.1%), and false aneurysm in 6(3.5%) patients. The outcome of permanent vascular access is favorable in our patient population with a one-year patency rate of 63.2%. The first choice of vascular access in our maintenance dialysis population should be AVF.

Pursuing Permanent Hemodialysis Vascular Access in Patients With a Poor Prognosis: Juxtaposing Potential Benefit and Harm

For patients with end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis, the native arteriovenous fistula remains the gold standard of vascular access, with tunneled cuffed central venous catheters reserved for temporary use or as a last resort in patients for whom a permanent vascular access is not possible. It is expected that most patients receiving hemodialysis will be suitable for arteriovenous fistula placement, with suitable patients defined as those: (1) for whom long-term dialysis is expected to confer benefit, (2) with vascular anatomy amenable to arteriovenous fistula placement, and (3) with progressive irreversible kidney failure who are more likely to require dialysis than to die before reaching dialysis dependence. The present article reviews considerations for vascular access decision making, focusing on older patients and those with a poor prognosis, weighing the risks and benefits of arteriovenous fistulas, arteriovenous grafts, and central venous catheters and emphasizing that in the process of vascular access decision making for such patients, medical and ethical obligations to avoid central venous catheters must be balanced by the obligation to do no harm.

The clinical application and nursing of unusual arteriovenous fistula

Objective To observe the clinical effect of unusual arteriovenous fistula in maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods Hemodialysis nursing characteristics and nursing management for 60 patients with unusal hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula were analyzed retroactively and nursing experience were summarized. Results After establishment of unusual arteriovenous fistula of 60 cases of patients vascular patency rate was 100％,40 cases started using after 3 months of postoperative,11 cases after 5 months and 9 cases after 6 ～ 8 months,lasting use over 2 ～ 3 years,all of cases had no infection and blocking.Conclusions Unusual arteriovenous fistula is a additional way of patients with permanent hemodialysis vascular access,careful care is the key to extend the service life. Key words: Hemodialysis; Unusual arteriovenous fistula; Clinical application; Nursing

A prospective, randomized comparison of bovine carotid artery and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene for permanent hemodialysis vascular access

Many patients on hemodialysis do not have adequate anatomy for native arteriovenous fistulas. In these patients, synthetic conduits remain an alternative option for permanent hemodialysis access. We sought to compare the standard cuffed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft with the bovine carotid artery (BCA) graft. This was a prospective, randomized controlled trial that was set in an academic medical center. We enrolled 26 patients in the BCA group and 27 patients in the ePTFE group. Primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Complications were monitored and are reported. Although there was no significant difference in secondary patency rates, primary and assisted primary patency rates were significantly higher in BCA than in the ePTFE grafts (60.5% vs 10.1% and 60.5% vs 20.8% at 1 year, respectively). The BCA graft survival advantage was most profound in the upper arm grafts with significantly higher primary and assisted patency rates (P < .0001 and .0005, respectively). The total number of interventions (upper arm grafts) and total number of angioplasties (overall and upper arm) required to maintain patency were significantly fewer in the BCA group. The most common complication was graft thrombosis which occurred 0.34 ± 0.09 times per patient year in the BCA group compared to 0.77 ± 0.16 times per patient year in the ePTFE group, P = .01. The BCA graft is an excellent option for patients on hemodialysis that are not suitable for native arteriovenous fistulas, as these grafts required fewer interventions than the ePTFE grafts to maintain patency.

Persistent low albumin and temporary vascular access in pediatric patients with SLE on hemodialysis

Pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often present with significant kidney disease. In a previous cross-sectional analysis, we showed that pediatric patients with ESRD secondary to SLE have lower serum albumin levels and less permanent vascular access for hemodialysis (HD) compared to pediatric patients on HD secondary to other causes. The goal of this longitudinal study was to determine if there was an improvement in these targets over time. To this end, we performed a longitudinal analysis of patients receiving HD in the ESRD Clinical Performance Measures Project 2000-2004 study years, comparing achievement of clinical targets between pediatric patients with SLE and pediatric patients with other causes of ESRD. In the longitudinal follow-up, pediatric patients with SLE were less likely to reach target albumin levels than other children with ESRD maintained on HD [odds ratio (OR) 0.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09, 0.35] and were less likely to have arteriovenous fistulas or grafts than other pediatric patients (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.23, 0.89). Pediatric patients with SLE maintained on HD are at particularly high risk for failing to meet some clinical targets that have been associated with improved long-term outcomes in other populations. This is true even as they remain on dialysis over time.

Referral pattern fof hemodialysis patients to nephrologists.

To determine the referral pattern of dialysis patients to nephrologists and the effects of late referral on clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters in patients presenting for the first-time to dialysis center. Cross-sectional study. Hemodialysis Unit of Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, from June 2003 to October 2006. This study was conducted on all patients of end stage renal diseases presenting for the first-time for undergoing hemodialysis at our center. Patients with acute renal failure were excluded from the study. At presentation, a history was taken from all the patients regarding seeking of nephrology services and referral pattern. Early and late referral was defined as the time of first referral or admission to a nephrologists greater or less than six months respectively before initiation of hemodialysis. All the patients were examined and their blood sample was drawn at the same time for routine hematological, biochemical parameters (urea, creatinine, serum potassium, calcium, phosphate and albumin) and viral markers (Anti HCV and HbsAg). In this study, 248 patients were enrolled, amongst them, 131 (52.8%) were male and 117 (47.2%) were female. Major causes of renal failure were diabetes mellitus, chronic glomerulonephritis and hypertension. Most of the patients were euvolemic and hypertensive. Sixty percent of patients were having very high urea ( > 200 mg/dl) and creatinine ( > 8.0 mg/dl). Most of the patients, 226 (91.1%), were anemic (Hemoglobin < 11gm/dl) and 224(90%) were hypoalbuminemic (serum albumin<4gm/dl) on first presentation. Majority of patients were hyperkalemic, 139 (56.0%), hypocalcemic, 168 (67.7%) and serum phosphate level was high in only 117 (47%) patients. All the patients presented in emergency room to nephrologists at very late stage (100% late referral), when disease was very much advanced. All of them did not have permanent vascular access for hemodialysis on first presentation to dialysis center. Reasons for late referral were non-availability of nephrologists and nephrology services, non-renal doctors biased, unawareness and training of medical professionals for these patients, patients' own denial for dialysis, fear and wrong perception about dialysis procedure, socioeconomic factors and use of non-evidenced based treatment modalities.