Abstract

MOLINA ALFONSO, Saúl; ORRET CRUZ, David; PEREZ RODRIGUEZ, Alexis  and  GUTIERREZ GARCIA, Francisco. Survival of arteriovenous fistulas in hemodialysis patients. Rev Cubana Cir [online]. 2012, vol.51, n.4, pp. 307-317. ISSN 0034-7493.

Introduction: in the replacement therapy of end-stage renal disease, the previous creation of a permanent vascular access is required when hemodialysis is chosen as a depurative method. Autologous arteriovenous fistula is the most widely used angioaccess because of its advantages. The objective of the present study was to assess the demographic data of this population and their relationship with the annual survival of arteriovenous fistulae in this group. Methods: a longitudinal prospective and descriptive study was conducted in 109 patients in whom 115 arteriovenous fistulae were created. They had been referred to the Department of Surgery of the Nephrology Institute of Havana in order to create vascular access for hemodialysis in the period from March 2005 through March 2007. The risk factors in the fistula survival were analyzed. Results: males slightly predominated (59 males and 50 females). The average age was 52.5 years. Nephroangiosclerosis followed by diabetic nephropathy and polycystic kidney disease were the predominant causes of end-stage renal disease. Glomerular filtration average for these patients was 18.73 ml/min. Fifty nine had a previous vascular access. A lower survival or primary patency rate was found in diabetic patients and in cases of humerobasilic fistulae, without any statistically significant relation in this last aspect (p>0.05). Thirty five percent of the patients were under hemodialysis therapy at the time of arteriovenous fistula placement. Conclusions: autologous arteriovenous fistula remains as a preferred vascular access due to its lower rate of complications. The selection of the correct placement site prior to the procedure is critical. Diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor which may have a significant effect on lower survival rates of vascular accesses.

Keywords : arteriovenous fistula; vascular access; end stage renal disease; hemodialysis; percutaneus transluminal angioplasty.

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