Assessing the Level of Patient-Specific Treatment Recommendations in Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hemodialysis Vascular Access in the United States

摘要

BackgroundHemodialysis is a procedure that requires efficient removal and return of blood to a patient's body. Despite being a life-sustaining process, hemodialysis is associated with morbidity, mortality, and high societal costs. A significant part of the financial costs to patients and society at large can be attributed to vascular access dysfunction. The cornerstone to efficient hemodialysis is a well-functioning vascular access that simultaneously allows efficient blood flow for dialysis and easy cannulation. It is hypothesized that the poor health outcomes associated with vascular access dysfunction can be improved by paying closer attention to patient-specific factors in clinical guidelines for hemodialysis vascular access. This may require a shift to a more patient-centered approach to vascular access management.