title: Early use conversion of the HeRO dialysis graft.
abstract: Although more challenging to place, the HeRO device (Hemosphere Inc, Eden Prairie, Minn) provides the dialysis access-challenged patient the opportunity to have an upper extremity graft rather than being dependent on a catheter or requiring a lower extremity access. A major difficulty with the HeRO is the need for a concomitant dialysis catheter until the graft matures. This has been associated with a large number of bacteremia episodes. Currently available early-access grafts have patency rates similar to standard polytetrafluoroethylene. We have modified the HeRO insertion technique to combine its attributes with those of an early-use graft. In the five patients presented in this report, we confirm that this new technique can give the patient a graft that is functional ≤72 hours and obviate the need for a concomitant catheter. This results in an infection-free access over the follow-up period.
authors.affiliation: Legacy Oregon Surgical, Portland, OR, USA. earl.schuman@gmail.com
authors.forename: Earl
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schuman
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ronfeld
mesh_terms: D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000601:surgery*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies