Population requirements for vascular access surgery

The native arterio-venous fistula provides the best access for haemodialysis. The dialysis population is growing in number, becoming more elderly, and has increasingly complex medical co-morbidity. The ability to establish and maintain optimal haemodialysis access in this population requires the planning and commissioning of operating and diagnostic facilities and the training of sufficient suitable surgical specialists. This article outlines the major factors that influence the demand for and requirements of a vascular access service for the renal failure population.