One-year efficacy of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular graft in eighty-three hemodialysis patients.
BACKGROUND
Our aim was to evaluate the patency and efficacy of expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular graft in hemodialysis patients.


METHODS
In a prospective study from January 1999 to January 2001 at Sina hospital 41 patients underwent implantation of 6-mm vascular grafts and 42 underwent implantation of 8-mm grafts in order to make vascular assess for hemodialysis. They were followed up to 12 months, observing the complications.


RESULTS
Mean patients' age was 52.2 years. Thirty-seven of them were females and 46 were males. Over a 12 months period of follow-up, 12 cases of graft infection (14.5%), 21 cases of thrombosis (25.3%), 7 cases with both complications (8.4%), and 1 case of pseudoaneurism (1.2%) were observed. One-year patency rate was 34.9%. Diabetes was the only factor associated with lower patency rate (27% versus 57%, p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
ePTFE vascular graft seems to be an appropriate substitute for arteriovenous fistula as a vascular assess in hemodialysis patients. Educating patients and good care can decrease the rate of infection, thrombosis, and other complications, resulting in a better patency and lower morbidity rate.
Afshar
Reza
R
Department of Nephrology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
Salimi
Javad
J
Sanavi
S R
SR
Niazi
F
F
Modaghegh
M H
MH
Fallah
N
N