title: Complications of vascular access: results of a European multi centre study of the EDTNA/ERCA Research Board.
abstract: The pilot project of the Research Board of EDTNA/ERCA handled the management of vascular accesses (VA) in European dialysis centres. In the first part of the study, centre policies related to VA management were investigated. In the second part of the study, individual patients were followed prospectively during one year. This paper reports on several topics of the second part of the project, investigating complications of the VA related to centre, patient characteristics and dialysis techniques used. Complications most frequently observed were thrombosis, stenosis, infection, bleeding and flow problems. Gradually more infections and flow problems were observed if the centre size and the patients/nurse ratio went up. Complication rate was not significantly influenced by age, gender, renal diagnosis, time on dialysis or medication used by the patient. In contrast, the number of vascular accesses in the past and interventions in the VA before first use resulted in an increased number of complications. Nurses have a key role in the prevention, manipulation and outcome of vascular access related complications.
authors.forename: Monique M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Elseviers
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Van Waeleghem
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology