Objective:The predicted outcomes of autogenous arteriovenous (AV) hemodialysis access creation are predominantly based on historical data; however both the hemodialysis population and clinical practices have changed significantly over the last decade. This study examined contemporary AV access clinical use and patencies.
Methods:A multi-centre observational cohort study was performed of all new AV accesses created in Scotland in 2015. The primary endpoint was efficacy assessed by successful AV access use for a minimum of 30 days and primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency at 1 year. Data obtained included all interventions to maintain or restore patency. Predictors of patency loss including demographics, comorbid conditions, dialysis status, AV access location, duplex surveillance, procedures, prior access, and antiplatelets were assessed.Kaplan-Meier and competing risks analyses were performed to estimate the probability of AV access failure. All patients were followed-up for at least 1 year, or had a censoring event.Results: A total of 582 AV accesses were created in 537 patients (mean age 60 [SD 14] years; 60% men; 42% with diabetes) in nine adult renal centres. Mean follow-up was 11.8 (SD 7.6) months. By the end of the follow-up, 322 (55.3%) AV accesses were successfully used for dialysis. At 1 year, 48% (95% CI 44-52) of AV accesses had primary patency, 67% (95% CI 63-71) had primary-assisted patency, and 69% (95% CI 65-73) had secondary patency. The leading cause of primary patency loss was primary failure (30%). An average of 0.48 interventions per patient-year was required to maintain patency. On multivariable analysis, patency was better for an upper compared to forearm AV access (1-year secondary patency of upper vs. forearm AV accesses 74% vs. 58%, respectively). The cumulative hazard and incident functions for AV access failure were 31% (95% CI 27-35) and 23% (95% CI 20-27) at 1 year, respectively.
Conclusions:Despite advances in recent years with pre-operative vessel assessment and surveillance, patency rates have not improved with primary failure remaining the major