Introduction:

There is an annual increase of patients with chronic renal impairment who need haemodialysis. The correct insertion of vascular accesses that are durable and functional is required to perform haemodialysis.

Objective:

Characterize the durability and functionability of arterio-venous fistulas in non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease.

Methods:

An ambispective study was conducted in 60 non-diabetic patients, with chronic kidney disease carrying an autologous internal arterio-venous fistula. The described variables were: age, sex, stage of the disease, place of manufacture, durability, workability, attempts, superficialization, use of polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses, and complications.

Results:

The average age of patients was 55.7 ± 12.7 years and half were between 40 and 59 years old. Males were 71.7%. Durable (66.7%) and functional (71.7%) fistulas were shown as the most common ones. Patients with a grade 4 disease represented the 51.7%. Fistulas in radio-cephalic zones (43.3%) and humerus-cephalic zone (45%) prevailed. Only 71.7% had an attempt of surgery. Only 20% had superficialization and four patients (6.4%) received polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses. Thrombosis was the most common complication (25%).

Conclusions:

The durability and functionability of the prepared fistulas were associated with factors such as the stage of the disease, the number of attempts, the use of vascular prostheses, and the complications.

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