Home parenteral nutrition via arteriovenous fistulae

Vascular access for home parenteral nutrition was achieved with arteriovenous fistulae during an average 14.3 months in seven patients. Two Cimino fistulae and six bovine grafts were used. The only complication was bovine graft thrombosis which occurred in six instances despite anticoagulant therapy. Thrombectomy could successfully be performed in three graft thrombosis. Considering complication rates arteriovenous fistulae are valuable alternatives for central venous catheters in long-term parenteral nutrition at home.