Access thrombosis, hospitalization, and hematocrit level in hemodialysis patients

Are occurrences of vascular access thrombosis and hospitalization higher in hemodialysis patients with hematocrits (Hcts) > 36% compared to those < 36%? This 12-month retrospective study included 30 male hemodialysis patients who received erythropoietin (rHuEPO) for at least 6 months. Sixty percent (n = 18) had arteriovenous fistulas and 40% (n = 12) had polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. The mean age was 59.6 years. Twenty patients during 216 patient months had a mean Hct < 36% with five thromboses (2.3%). Ten patients during 118 patient months had a mean Hct > 36% with four thromboses (3.4%). There was no statistically significant difference between the thrombosis rates in the two groups. There were four hospitalizations in 118 patient months in the > 36% group (3.4%). There were 33 hospitalizations in 216 patient months in the < 36% group (15.3%). This is 4.5 times higher than the > 36% group. Our data suggest that Hcts > 36% are not associated with increased thrombosis and are associated with lower hospitalization rates.