title: Biomaterials for hemodialysis access.
abstract: While the optimal vascular conduit for hemodialysis is undeniably an arterialized autogenous subcutaneous vein, only a minority of end-stage renal disease patients can count on such access: the remainder require implantation of a biomaterial conduit. This paper will briefly survey current biografts used for hemodialysis access, with an emphasis on their known limitations, and will delineate the questions to be asked--and answered--in the development of optimal dialysis access grafts.
authors.affiliation: Hope Heart Institute, Seattle, Wash.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lyman
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sauvage
mesh_terms: D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013500:Surface Tension; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials