Hemodialysis access without a shunt or catheter: the circulating port.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a new type of vascular access (VA) avoiding permanent arteriovenous (AV) shunting and intravenous catheter placement using a silicone plug inserted in the vessel wall.


METHODS
Four different animal studies were conducted to verify the biologic safety of the concept, to check resistance to infection and accessibility and midterm patency.


RESULTS
The circulating ports were found to be very easy to puncture, extremely resistant to infection and their midterm patency rate was acceptable.


CONCLUSIONS
The circulating port seems to be a very promising hemodialysis (HD) access method, but it still has to be tested in clinical situations.
Richard
T
T
Hôpital des Peupliers-Croix Rouge Française, Paris, France. trichflyUS@aol.com
D000818:Animals; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D008422:Materials Testing; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012756:Sheep; D012828:Silicones; D013997:Time Factors; D014654:Vascular Patency
D012828:Silicones; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene