文摘
The vascular access has a decisive influence on the success of chronic hemodialysis treatment. Vascular access and the associated complications are the main theme of the worldwide epidemiological DOPPS study. In this large observational study the adjusted mortality of patients with a catheter was approximately 30?% higher than with an arteriovenous (AV) fistula and 15?% higher with AV grafts. Simultaneously, the number of complications including the duration of hospital stay was increased in patients with catheters and AV grafts. In the last 10 years the number of catheters has increased in many countries, has remained at a high level in Belgium and Canada but decreased in the USA where the number of AV grafts also greatly decreased. The age of patients, diabetes, poor vascular conditions and finally the explicit wishes of patients and dialysis personnel increased the frequency of catheters and AV grafts. Experienced operators, early presentation of patients to nephrologists and timely placement of the vascular access, sufficient time before initiation and insight of dialysis personnel with respect to poor dialysis flow with catheters and increased risks of catheters and AV grafts compared to AV fistulas should contribute to an increase in the number of patients with AV fistulas so that the problem of vascular access will be improved.