Haemodialysis access: clinical and epidemiological profile of patients and their vascular access in interior of Brazil

Background: The analysis of vascular access for hemodialysis is relevant for the quality of life of patient. In this study we investigated the profile of vascular access used for hemodialysis patients in a poor place, interior of Brazil. Objectives: To identify the percentage of vascular access for hemodialysis in this unit conforms to international standards. Methods: We evaluated the reference hemodialysis service in a specific poor place in Brazil. There are 120 patients of both genders who have undergone implant or manufacture of vascular hemodialysis access; there aren´t patients on renal replacement therapy by peritoneal dialysis. Results: Associated diseases were unknown cause, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. 93(77.5) had arteriovenous fistula, with 89 held by the same dialysis and four of them were still maturing. 27 patients on dialysis used central venous catheter. 91 were indigenous and two were made using polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis (PTFE). Among the 27 patients with central venous catheters, twenty were short-term catheter and 7 were long-term catheter. Among the fistulas for dialysis patients, the highest prevalence was radiocephalic fistula in 60 patients (50%). Among all the fistulas, the left radiocephalic was the most found, in 37 patients (39.8) and right, in 23 patients (24.7). The number of patients that they had only one fistula manufactured corresponded 60 patients (50%). and mean duration of use was 1,74 ±1,64 years, ranging from two months to 9 years. Conclusion: Our Unit of hemodialysis is above the limits established by international norms.