Novel Method to Monitor Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation: Impact on Catheter Residence Time

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation assessment is essential to reduce venous catheter residence. We introduced central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) and estimated upper body blood flow (eUBBF) to monitor newly created fistula maturation and recorded catheter time in patients with and without ScvO2-based fistula maturation.

From 2017 to 2019, we conducted a multicenter quality improvement project (QIP) in hemodialysis patients with the explicit goal to shorten catheter residence time post-AVF creation through ScvO2-based maturation monitoring. In patients with a catheter as vascular access, we tracked ScvO2 and eUBBF pre- and post-AVF creation. The primary outcome was catheter residence time post-AVF creation. We compared catheter residence time post-AVF creation between QIP patients and controls. One control group comprised concurrent patients; a second control group comprised historic controls (2014-2016). We conducted Kaplan-Meier analysis and constructed a Cox proportional hazards model with variables adjustment to assess time-to-catheter removal.

The QIP group comprised 44 patients (59 ± 17 years), the concurrent control group 48 patients (59 ± 16 years), the historic control group 57 patients (58 ± 15 years). Six-month post-AVF creation, the fraction of non-censored patients with catheter in place was 21% in the QIP cohort, 67% in the concurrent control group, and 68% in the historic control group. In unadjusted and adjusted analysis, catheter residence time post-fistula creation was shorter in QIP patients compared to either control groups (p < 0.001).

ScvO2-based assessment of fistula maturation is associated with shorter catheter residence post-AVF creation.