Hemodialysis vascular access in the elderly: Promising results from a tertiary center

Hemodialysis patients, particularly the elderly, present challenges for vascular access (VA) creation due to age-related vascular changes and comorbidities. This study aimed to characterize outcomes related to VA in elderly patients (≥75 years) and compare them with younger patients, focusing on primary failure, maturation failure, and patency rates.

This retrospective study included patients evaluated in VA consultations between January 2019 and December 2021; patients were evaluated through physical examination and Color Doppler Ultrasound to determine the suitability of vessels for VA construction. Demographic data, proposed and created VA types were assessed. The primary outcomes were the evaluation and comparison of primary failure and maturation failure of VA in the elderly (O) and younger (Y) groups. Secondary outcomes included the assessment of primary patency and primary assisted patency at 6, 12, and 24 months in both groups.

Among 167 patients, 36 were elderly. There were no significant differences in proposed and created VA types between the Y and O groups and radial-cephalic AVFs were the most commonly constructed VA in both groups. Primary and maturation failure rates were similar (Y group: 17.3% and 5.6%; O group: 9.7% and 10.7%, respectively). Primary patency and primary assisted patency rates did not significantly differ between groups at 6, 12, and 24 months.

The impact of age on the feasibility of VA should not be exaggerated. Preoperative assessment and a tailored approach enable successful autologous access creation in elderly patients, resulting in outcomes comparable to those of younger patients.