Early experience with a novel self-sealing nanofabric vascular graft for early hemodialysis access

To report initial experience regarding the use of novel self-sealing electrospun nanofabric graft.

A total of 21 patients aged between 22 and 64 (male:female ratio = 11:10) underwent AVflo vascular access graft implantation to forearm. Information for patency at 6 and 12 months after the operation was obtained. Cannulation for hemodialysis was allowed 8 h after the operation, as needed.

Cannulation was performed before 12th hour of implantation in two patients, between 12th and 24th postoperative hours in 10 patients and between 12th and 24th postoperative hours in the remaining nine patients. Primary patency was 17/21 (80.9%) at 6th month and 15/21 (71.4%) at 12th month. Secondary patency was 19/21 (90.4%) at sixth month and 17/21 (80.9%) at 12th month.

AVflo self-sealing graft allows for early cannulation after implantation and thus may potentially eliminate the need for central venous catheters in selected patients.