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Basic Steps for Increasing the Rate of Autogenic Vascular Accesses for Hemodialysis
Author(s) -
Salgado Octavio J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
therapeutic apheresis and dialysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.415
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1744-9987
pISSN - 1744-9979
DOI - 10.1046/j.1526-0968.2003.00037.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hemodialysis , vascular access , multidisciplinary approach , dialysis , arteriovenous fistula , intensive care medicine , hemodialysis access , physical therapy , surgery , social science , sociology
The number of patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD) is steadily increasing worldwide. The creation of a well‐functioning vascular access represents a critical aspect in their management. Autogenous arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) are considered the first choice vascular access in terms of lower morbidity and costs, and higher survival rates when compared with grafts. However, creating AVF at high rates is a complex task that requires a multidisciplinary approach, which includes nephrologists, access surgeons, dialysis nurses and radiologists. In the present work we review concisely the basic steps, for preserving all potential autogenic sites at both upper extremities for future AVF creation and, for prolonging the length of AVF survival. We feel that a more proactive involvement of nephrologists in the basic steps for AVF creation would substantially contribute to increase AVF rates among HD patients.