Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2017 Feb;50(1):30-35. 10.5090/kjtcs.2017.50.1.30.

Surgical Outcomes of Forearm Loop Arteriovenous Fistula Formation Using Tapered versus Non-Tapered Polytetrafluoroethylene Grafts

• Han S
• Seo PW
• Ryu JW

• KMID: 2368429
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2017.50.1.30

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Tapered grafts, which have a smaller diameter on the arterial side, have been increasingly used for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) formation. We compared the outcomes of 4-6-mm tapered and 6-mm straight forearm loop arteriovenous grafts.
METHODS
A total of 103 patients receiving forearm loop arteriovenous grafts between March 2005 and March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed and separated into 2 groups (group A, 4- to 6-mm tapered grafts, n=78; group B, 6-mm straight grafts, n=25). In each group, complications and patency rates after surgery were assessed.
RESULTS
Clinical characteristics and laboratory results, except for cerebrovascular disease history (group A, 7.7%; group B, 28.0%; p=0.014), were similar between the groups. No significant differences were found for individual complications. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed no significant differences in 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year patency rates between groups (61.8%, 44.9%, and 38.5% vs. 62.7%, 41.1%, and 35.3%, respectively).
CONCLUSION
We found no significant differences in complication and patency rates between the tapered and straight graft groups. If there are no differences in complication and patency between the two graft types, tapered grafts may be a valuable option for AVF formation in light of their other advantages.

Keyword

Arteriovenous fistula; Outcomes; Graft

MeSH Terms

Arteriovenous Fistula*
Cerebrovascular Disorders
Forearm*
Humans
Polytetrafluoroethylene*
Retrospective Studies
Transplants*
Polytetrafluoroethylene