title: Comparison of FLIXENE™ and standard PTFE arteriovenous graft for early haemodialysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose is to compare the outcomes of FLIXENE™ arteriovenous graft (AVG) to standard polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) AVG for early haemodialysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective observational study of all AVGs placed over a 40-month period between 2008 and 2011 at our vascular unit. Primary outcome was to examine early cannulation rates for FLIXENE™. Secondary outcomes included patency rates, usability of grafts, complications in particular infections, interventions and death in comparison to standard PTFE grafts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-five FLIXENE™ and 19 standard PTFE AVGs were placed in the study period; 89% of FLIXENE™ grafts were used for dialysis, with 78% cannulated within 3 days. At 18 months, primary patency (FLIXENE™ 34% vs standard PTFE 24%), primary assisted patency (35% vs 36%) and secondary patency rate (51% vs 48%) were not statistically different; 20.2% of FLIXENE™ grafts were infected at 18 months requiring explantation compared with 40.3% of standard PTFE grafts (p=0.14).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FLIXENE™ can be cannulated for dialysis within 3 days. It has similar patency and complication rates as other prosthetic grafts in the market. In patients who have no access and require urgent dialysis, FLIXENE™ is a viable option.
authors: Waikato Hospital, Hamilton - New Zealand.
authors: Nathaniel
authors: N
authors: Chiang
authors: Katherine Ria
authors: KR
authors: Hulme
authors: Paul Charles
authors: PC
authors: Haggart
authors: Thodur
authors: T
authors: Vasudevan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000401:mortality; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000401:mortality; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene