title: Basilic vein transposition fistulas versus prosthetic bridge grafts in patients with end-stage renal failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Basilic vein transposition fistulas (BVTFs) and prosthetic bridge grafts (PBGs) provide good vascular access for hemodialysis. To evaluate the patency and complication rates after arteriovenous fistula formation, a concurrent series of patients was reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 2003 and September 2009, 147 hemodialysis access procedures were performed in 147 consecutive patients at Van Research and Training Hospital and Yuzuncu Yil University Hospital, Van, Turkey. All access procedures were planned on the basis of preoperative duplex scans of arm and forearm veins. Functional patency was defined as the ability to cannulate hemodialysis patients successfully. Primary and secondary cumulative functional patency rates of BVTFs and PBGs were determined with life-table analysis and differences were analyzed with retrospective study. Differences in revision rates, including thrombolysis thrombectomies and operative revisions, were analyzed with the Fisher exact t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean follow-up was 15 months (range, 3-24 months). Risk factors were similar between the two groups. BVTFs had better patency at 15 months. The dialysis access complications were higher in the PBG group versus BVTF group, and the PBG group had a higher infection rate than the BVTF group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The primary and secondary patency rates were superior in the BVTF group. Our data strongly support the contention that as long as the patient is a candidate for an upper arm BVTF based on anatomical criteria, BVTF always be considered before a PBG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Turkey. hbasel1966@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Basel
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ekim
authors.forename: Dolunay
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Odabasi
authors.forename: Adem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kiymaz
authors.forename: Cemalettin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: Aysenur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dostbil
mesh_terms: D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D015993:Life Tables; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014680:Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery