Maintenance of Hemodialysis Vascular Access and Prevention of Access Dysfunction: A Review

摘要

Background: Current Renal Association guidelines recommend the creation of an arteriovenous fistula as the first choice for hemodialysis access, with artificial grafts kept in reserve. However, maintaining working access comes with significant difficulties, as well as an estimated annual cost to the National Health Service of greater than 84 pound million. Multiple methods of improving the successful creation of hemodialysis access, improving access maintenance and preventing access dysfunction therefore exist. The aim was to review these methods, including surgical, radiological, and pharmacological techniques.