title: Upper-arm hemodialysis access in Sweden.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide the contemporary use of upper-arm access for hemodialysis in Sweden using data from a unique national registry for hemodialysis access.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were retrieved from a nation-wide registry for dialysis access in Sweden, Dialysis Access Database (DiAD) on the use and function of specific access types with a focus on upper-arm accesses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data demonstrate an increased use of upper-arm access, likely dependent on a changing patient population, with brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) as the most common access type. Women received more upper-arm accesses than men. Given the recent establishment of the registry, patency and access function can at this point give preliminary data. Indications of a better function for brachiobasilic AVFs in staged procedures were observed as well as for upper-arm arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) in women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Registry data support an increased use of upper-arm accesses, especially in women. The study also demonstrates the potential of a dedicated national access registry to improve access care.
authors.affiliation:  Department of Vascular Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm - Sweden.
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hedin
authors.affiliation:  Department of Nephrology, Karlstad Hospital and the Swedish Renal Registry, Karlstad - Sweden.
authors.forename: Gunilla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Welander
mesh_terms: D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058996:Quality Improvement; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012042:Registries; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000592:standards; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D014654:Vascular Patency