Review of experience at the Mayo Clinic with carotid bovine grafts in patients who undergo hemodialysis with a follow-up of as long as 28 months revealed that the graft provides vascular access for hemodialysis when other vascular access sources have been exhausted. The graft is particularly helpful in the diabetic patient whose peripheral arteries have inadequate flow. The location in the thigh seems to be preferable to the forearm location. Clean puncture technique is important because infections usually mean graft loss and possibly severe complications, for example, hemorrhage or septicemia.
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