Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) grafts for hemodialysis. 18 months' experience

18 months clinical experience with 6 mm polytetrafluorethylene forearm grafts for hemodialysis access has been described. 35 grafts were implanted, all in patients who had unsuitable vessels for construction of a regular Brescia-Cimino forearm fistula. The overall patency was 71% with mean duration of 10.3 months, and at any one time more than 85% of the grafts at risk were functional. Complications, including undesirable flow rates, edema, thrombosis, aneurysm and cardiac failure have been discussed and rational methods of avoidance described. We believe the polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) graft represents an important advance in hemodialysis access.