[Acute hemodialysis with a single needle]

The problems of vascular access in acute haemodialysis are illustrated in brief. On the basis of the literature and personal experience, the usefulness of percutaneous cannulation of the femoral vein is maintained and its technical advantages, reasonable simplicity and practicability are recalled. Finally the use is proposed of a technique based on a new single needle capable of speedily resolving the problem of vascular access in acute patients.