Outcome of primary radiocephalic fistula for haemodialysis

Patient characteristics may help select the most appropriate type of permanent vascular access for haemodialysis. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of patient-related variables on the outcome of radiocephalic fistulas.

Over 3 years 107 consecutive patients underwent formation of a radiocephalic fistula for permanent haemodialysis access. Patients receiving prosthetic, ulnar, brachial or secondary fistulas were excluded. Patients were followed prospectively until access failure, transplantation or death, or for a minimum of 6 months (median follow-up 24 months).

Primary patency was 69 per cent at 12 months and 56 per cent at 24 months. Endovascular and surgical intervention led to limited improvement in secondary patency to 63 per cent at 24 months. Regression analysis showed that fistula failure was more common in women (P = 0.02), diabetics (P = 0.03) and young patients (P = 0.02). By life-table analysis, primary and secondary patency were significantly better (P = 0.01) for men and non-diabetics, while the outcome was similar for all age groups.

One-third of radiocephalic fistulas fail irreversibly within 2 years. Failure is more likely in women and diabetic patients.