Sands JJ, Miranda CL
Increasing AV fistulas for hemodialysis access
Am Soc Nephrol
J Am Soc Nephrol (abstract) (Nov) 6:501 1995

We all know that fistulas last longer than grafts, and that there is a trend to use more synthetic grafts in the United States. So the logical question to ask is, what happens if we deliberately increase the use of grafts? Sands et al give only part of the answer in this study, where, under a CQI program, they increased the % fistulas in initial access insertions from 38% to 73% over a 2 yeasr period. 86% of initial fistulas were useable, due largely to a high and increasing use of brachial artery fistulas.

Comment: This paper shows it can be done, but there are no outcome data to show that this approach actually reduces the incidence of access thrombosis or other complications. (Daugirdas)

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Am Soc Nephrol
Basic hemodialysis : Vascular Access: graft/fistula