title: Improved treatment feasibility in children with hemophilia using arteriovenous fistulae: the results after seven years of follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An easy and stable venous access is essential in hemophilic children who receive regular prophylaxis or immune tolerance induction treatment. Central venous access devices improve treatment feasibility, but their use is complicated by infection and/or thrombosis. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has been evaluated as an alternative to central venous access devices in hemophilic children since 1999.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study provides results obtained in a large series after seven years of follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 1999 to 2008, 43 procedures were performed in 38 children (median age: 2.7 years). Thirty-five AVFs (81%) achieved maturation after a median of 58 days and were used for a median of five years (range: 0.4-8.5). A brachial artery caliber larger than 1.2 mm was associated with successful maturation (p<0.05). Complications with some impact on arteriovenous fistula use or duration were observed in 14/43 procedures (32%) and in 13/38 children (34%). Age at arteriovenous fistula creation was younger in children who lost arteriovenous fistula patency (p<0.05) and aneurysms were more frequent in children who were on daily treatment regimen and thus had a greater cumulative number of arteriovenous fistula accesses (p<0.05). At the end of the follow-up period, 22 AVFs were still in use and 9 had been surgically dismantled. Arteriovenous fistula use allowed long-term prophylaxis (up to 8.5 years) in 11 children and the completion of immune tolerance induction without interruptions in 18 children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms the feasibility of arteriovenous fistula with an acceptable rate of complications and suggests that its use is particularly favorable in children with inhibitors in whom it should be considered as first-choice venous access.
authors.affiliation: Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Haemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, IRCCS Maggiore Policlinico Hospital, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena Foundation,University of Milan, via Pace 9, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Elisa
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mancuso
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berardinelli
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beretta
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raiteri
authors.forename: Ermanno
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pozzoli
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Santagostino
mesh_terms: D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000601:surgery; D016121:Brachiocephalic Veins / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005164:Factor IX / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005169:Factor VIII; D005164:Factor IX