[Prototyping a new registry of vascular accesses for hemodialysis]

Maria Luisa Lefons1, Salvatore Accoto2, Francesco Caccetta3

  • 1U.O.C. Nefrologia-Dialisi e Trapianto Renale PO V. Fazzi Lecce.

Insights

A new registry of vascular accesses (VA) improved patient management. Data on 726 patients showed native arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) were most common, with variations by age, gender, and diabetes status.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Effective management of vascular access (VA) is crucial for patients requiring hemodialysis.
  • Previous data on VA prevalence and characteristics in this health district were limited.
  • A comprehensive registry is needed to improve VA management and understand patient demographics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and implement a new registry for vascular accesses (VA) in a specific health district.
  • To collect detailed data on VA types, locations, and patient characteristics.
  • To improve the clinical and epidemiological understanding of VA management.

Main Methods:

  • A registry was created to record VA data for prevalent patients as of December 31, 2017.
  • Data collected included VA type, location, vessels involved, surgical history, and anastomosis type.
  • For Central Venous Catheters (CVC), reason for use, site, and characteristics were recorded.

Main Results:

  • The registry included 726 patients (average age 66±15 years, 63% male).
  • Native arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) comprised 84% of VAs, predominantly in the distal forearm (65%).
  • Central Venous Catheters (CVC) accounted for 14.5% of VAs, with higher prevalence in women and diabetics. Arteriovenous Grafts (AVG) were 1.7%.

Conclusions:

  • The developed VA registry successfully captured essential clinical and epidemiological data.
  • The registry provides a foundation for improved VA management and targeted interventions.
  • Analysis revealed demographic and clinical factors influencing VA type selection and placement.

Related Concept Videos

Hemodialysis I: Introduction01:25

Hemodialysis I: Introduction

Hemodialysis (HD) is a medical treatment that artificially removes waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to perform these functions effectively. In this process, blood is filtered through a semipermeable membrane, allowing for the selective removal of waste while preserving necessary components like blood cells and proteins. Hemodialysis is typically performed in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or severe kidney...
1.1K
Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications01:24

Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications

DialyzersA hemodialysis (HD) dialyzer is a plastic cartridge containing thousands of parallel hollow fibers, which serve as semipermeable membranes. These fibers are typically made from cellulose-based or other synthetic materials. During HD, blood is pumped into the top of the cartridge and distributed among these fibers. Simultaneously, dialysis fluid, known as dialysate, is introduced into the bottom of the cartridge, bathing the outside of the fibers. Across the semipermeable membrane,...
503
Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management01:25

Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management

The nursing management of a patient undergoing hemodialysis includes several critical steps, starting with a thorough assessment before the procedure.Before the Hemodialysis ProcedureFirst, record the patient's vital signs—blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature—to establish a baseline. This baseline is essential for detecting conditions such as hypotension that could impact the patient's response to dialysis. Document the patient's pre-dialysis weight, as this...
632
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy01:30

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, also known as CRRT, is a procedural treatment for acute kidney injury (AKI) that gradually removes uremic toxins and fluids while maintaining acid-base balance and stabilizing electrolytes. It is particularly useful for hemodynamically unstable patients. Unlike intermittent hemodialysis, which is faster, CRRT provides a gentler approach over 24 hours, closely mimicking the function of natural kidneys. However, CRRT is not ideal for patients with...
651
Dialysis01:27

Dialysis

Renal failure occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products from the blood effectively. It can be classified into two types: acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure (CRF).
Acute kidney injury develops suddenly and can be caused by pre-renal causes (e.g., hypovolemia, shock), intrinsic renal causes (e.g., acute tubular necrosis), or post-renal causes (e.g., urinary obstruction). In contrast, chronic renal failure progresses gradually over time and is often...
1.1K
Dialysis01:15

Dialysis

Dialysis is a diffusion-based purification process that separates analyte molecules from a complex matrix. This is accomplished by allowing molecules in the solution to pass through a semipermeable membrane into a liquid on the other side. The membrane is usually made of cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate, and the second liquid must be miscible with the solution. Ions (e.g., chloride or sodium) or organic molecules (e.g., glucose) can pass through the membrane pores, which generally have...
1.5K