Functional and durable vascular access is needed for adequate hemodialysis. Arteriovenous fistula is preferred over prosthetic grafts or central venous catheters, but it is associated with high rates of primary failure and maturation failure. Preoperative mapping of arm vessels with color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) has been shown to be helpful in achieving better short and long-term outcomes. Unfortunately, is more time-consuming than a physical examination and requires an experienced examiner and special equipment; some authors defend that CDU should not be part of the routine preoperative assessment. We reported our experience in preoperative vessel mapping using color Doppler ultrasound to purpose a vascular access to the surgical team, surveillance of vascular access, and evaluation of main outcomes (primary failure, maturation failure, and patency).
This is a single-center retrospective study that includes patients who attended a specific appointment for vascular access planning consultation between January 2019 and December 2021. A nephrologist performed the physical exam and vascular mapping and proposed to the vascular surgeon team a specific type and location of vascular access. Patients were followed until one month after the first hemodialysis through functioning vascular access.
In this study, 167 patients were evaluated (114 incident patients - chronic kidney disease stage 4 or 5 - and 53 prevalent patients - under hemodialysis through central venous catheter). The vascular accesses proposed by nephrologist were radial-cephalic arteriovenous fistula in 70 patients (41.9%), brachio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula in 50 patients (29.9%), brachio-basilic arteriovenous fistula in 34 patients (20.4%), arteriovenous graft in 8 patients (4.8%) and central venous catheter in 2 patients (1.2%). Vascular access was constructed in 141 patients: distal arteriovenous fistula in 57 patients (40.4%), brachio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula in 54 patients (38.3%), brachio-basilic AVF in 27 patients (19.1%), and arteriovenous graft in 3 patients (2.1%). The created access corresponds to the proposed access in 129 patients (91.5%). Twenty-two (15.6%) primary failures were registered. Distal arteriovenous fistulas and diabetes mellitus were associated with a higher risk of primary failure (OR=3.929 (1.485-10.392), p=0.004; OR=3.867 (1.235-12.113), p=0.014, respectively). The incidence of maturation failure at eight weeks was 4.8%. The primary patency at 6, 12 and 24 months was 76.3%, 70.4% and 49.2%. Primary assisted patency was 84.8% at 6 and 12 months and 81.3% at 24 months.
This study demonstrates that the study of the entire vascular territory performed with color Doppler ultrasound, within a multidisciplinary team of nephrologists and vascular surgeons, is associated with high rates of autologous access and very low rates of primary failure and maturation failure (almost unprecedented in the literature).

Patient activation is a concept that refers to the willingness to manage one\'s health and medical care. To assess it, a patient activation measure (PAM) has been developed and validated. Several studies report low activation in patients with chronic diseases. However, information on activation in hemodialysis patients is scarce. The aim of the present study is to describe the activation level of patients on chronic treatment in an HD unit and its relationship with disease control parameters.
Cross-sectional observational study in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease on chronic HD treatment. Ninety-six patients were included. Activation was measured with the PAM-13 questionnaire. Its relationship with descriptive variables (age, sex, comorbidity, studies, habitat) and disease control variables (vascular access, blood flow, potassaemia, phosphataemia, interdialytic gain) was studied. For this purpose, Spearman\'s correlation test, multiple linear regression model and logistic model were used as statistical methods.
The mean (SD) PAM-13 score was 63.19 (15.21). Activation was significantly associated with vascular access (P = 0.003), blood flow (P = 0.024), and interdialytic gain of patients (P = 0.008).
Activation in patients on chronic hemodialysis treatment is low. Higher activation is related having an arteriovenous fistula, higher blood flow and lower interdialytic gain. Future studies are needed to confirm and apply our results.

OBJECTIVE: The increased survival rates of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have impacted directly in the proportion of elderly patients requiring a reliable hemodialysis (HD) access; this group clearly demands an individualized approach. We aim to analyze maturation and patency rates of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) in elderly patients.
METHODS: This was retrospective review of a database of patients that underwent AVF creation in our institution. The maturation and patency rates were analyzed divided in groups based on age (equal and greater of 65 years, and patients under 65 years). Patency rates were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis.
RESULTS: Twenty patients ≥ 65 years old (mean 73, SD ± 5.4) were analyzed. The overall maturation rate in this group was 75% compared to 84.1% (p = 0.33) in the younger group (mean age 48 years, SD ± 17). The primary patency at 6 and 12 months for the ≥ 65 years group was 93% and 86%, respectively, compared with 85% and 81% for the younger group (p = 0.77).
CONCLUSIONS: Autogenous AVF remains the preferred and durable option for elderly patients. We found no difference in terms of maturation and patency rates compared to younger patients. Standardized protocols are needed to optimally select vascular accesses.
BACKGROUND: El aumento de las tasas de supervivencia en los pacientes con enfermedad renal terminal ha impactado en los pacientes con acceso para hemodiálisis.
OBJECTIVE: Analizar las tasas de maduración y permeabilidad de las fístulas arteriovenosas en pacientes adultos mayores.
UNASSIGNED: Estudio retrospectivo en el que se incluyeron pacientes a los que se realizó fístula arteriovenosa. Las tasas de maduración y permeabilidad se analizaron divididas en grupos según la edad (≥ 65 y < 65 años). Las tasas de permeabilidad se compararon mediante análisis de Kaplan-Meier.
RESULTS: Se analizaron 20 pacientes ≥ 65 años. La tasa de maduración global en este grupo fue del 75%, frente al 84.1% (p = 0.33) en el grupo más joven. La permeabilidad primaria a los 6 y 12 meses para el grupo ≥ 65 años fue del 93% y el 86%, respectivamente, en comparación con el 85% y el 81% en el grupo más joven (p = 0.77).
CONCLUSIONS: La fístula arteriovenosa autógena sigue siendo la opción preferida y duradera para los pacientes de edad avanzada. No encontramos diferencias en cuanto a las tasas de maduración y permeabilidad en comparación con los pacientes más jóvenes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pressure generated by an adjustable hemostasis clamp on arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) during the hemostasis proccess, and compare it with the direct two-finger pressure applied by the patient. To evaluate the variations of the direct two-finger pressure along the hemostasis process.
METHODS: We analyzed data obtained in 51 hemodialysis procedures from 15 patients. AVF intraaccess pressure was used as indirect indicator of the pressure generated by both methods. It was recorded before venous needle removal (PBasal), at clamp application (P1), after clamp adjustement by a nurse (P2), at the beginning of the direct two-finger pressure by the patient (M0), after 3 min of two-finger pressure (M3) and after 6 min of two-finger pressure (M6).
RESULTS: Intra-access pressure was lower with the adjusted clamp (P2) than with the direct two-finger pressure by the patient (M0) (variation of -18.57%, 95%CI -14.09 to -4.77 mmHg, P < 0.001). Intraaccess pressure generated by the direct two-finger pressure method showed a decreasing trend along the hemostasis process (M3-M0: -8.82 mmHg, P < 0.001; M6-M0: -12.55 mmHg, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: An adjustable fistula arm clamp generates a lower pressure in AVF than the direct two-finger pressure applied by the patient. The latter showed a decreasing trend along the hemostasis process. These data suggest that some of the recommendations from clinical guidelines could be based on inaccurate premises.

Duplex ultrasound (DUS) is increasingly used before vascular access (VA) surgery for haemodialysis. However, the cost-effectiveness of this approach is unknown. Our objective was to assess whether the introduction of a specialised consultation with DUS assessment modifies the cost and the time delay to achieve a first VA valid for haemodialysis.
Prospective cohort of patients undergoing a first VA (June 2014-July 2017) after a specialised consultation with DUS (ECO group). They were compared with a historical cohort (January 2012-May 2014) where VA was indicated exclusively by clinical evaluation (CLN group). We analysed the cost related to visits, DUS assessments, interventions, hospital admissions and graft materials to achieve a first VA valid for haemodialysis at least during 1 month.
86 patients in the CLN group were compared with 92 in the ECO group. Patients in the ECO group were younger (68.4 vs. 64.0 years; P=.038) but no other differences were seen among groups. The average cost to achieve a first AV valid for haemodialysis was significantly lower in the ECO group (2707 vs. 3347€; P=.024). There was a higher cost associated with DUS assessments in the ECO group yet the CLN group had a higher cost related to follow-up visits, successive surgical interventions, prosthetic material, days of hospital admission and catheters. The mean time needed to achieve a first AV valid for haemodialysis was also shorter in the ECO group (49.9 vs. 82.9 days, P=.002).
The introduction of a specialised vascular access consultation with DUS prior to VA surgery has reduced the cost necessary to achieve a first VA valid for haemodialysis. From the patient\'s point of view this has meant less interventions and hospital admissions and a shortening of the time delay.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging global burden with an increasing number of patient\'s requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), with hemodialysis being the most prevalent dialysis modality. A functioning vascular access remains the main constrain for an adequate treatment. Clinical and, in some patients, ultrasound evaluation are fundamental for better access planning. Access planning is dependent not only on patient clinical characteristics and preference but also in vascular patrimony. As such, ultrasound evaluation aids in characterizing patient arterial and venous upper arm anatomy and provides information for which access would better suit each patient. Doctors dealing with CKD patients should be familiar with the role of ultrasound and Doppler use in access planning.

BACKGROUND: Duplex ultrasound (DUS) is increasingly used before vascular access (VA) surgery for haemodialysis. However, the cost-effectiveness of this approach is unknown. Our objective was to assess whether the introduction of a specialised consultation with DUS assessment modifies the cost and the time delay to achieve a first VA valid for haemodialysis.
METHODS: Prospective cohort of patients undergoing a first VA (June 2014-July 2017) after a specialised consultation with DUS (ECO group). They were compared with a historical cohort (January 2012-May 2014) where VA was indicated exclusively by clinical evaluation (CLN group). We analysed the cost related to visits, DUS assessments, interventions, hospital admissions and graft materials to achieve a first VA valid for haemodialysis at least during 1 month.
RESULTS: Eighty-six patients in the CLN group were compared with 92 in the ECO group. Patients in the ECO group were younger (68.4 vs. 64.0 years; P=.038) but no other differences were seen among groups. The average cost to achieve a first AV valid for haemodialysis was significantly lower in the ECO group (2707 vs. 3347€; P=.024). There was a higher cost associated with DUS assessments in the ECO group yet the CLN group had a higher cost related to follow-up visits, successive surgical interventions, prosthetic material, days of hospital admission and catheters. The mean time needed to achieve a first AV valid for haemodialysis was also shorter in the ECO group (49.9 vs. 82.9 days, P=.002).
CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of a specialised vascular access consultation with DUS prior to VA surgery has reduced the cost necessary to achieve a first VA valid for haemodialysis. From the patient\'s point of view this has meant less interventions and hospital admissions and a shortening of the time delay.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging global burden with an increasing number of patient\'s requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), with hemodialysis being the most prevalent dialysis modality. A functioning vascular access remains the main constrain for an adequate treatment. Clinical and, in some patients, ultrasound evaluation are fundamental for better access planning. Access planning is dependent not only on patient clinical characteristics and preference but also in vascular patrimony. As such, ultrasound evaluation aids in characterizing patient arterial and venous upper arm anatomy and provides information for which access would better suit each patient. Doctors dealing with CKD patients should be familiar with the role of ultrasound and Doppler use in access planning.

ARTERIOVENOUS: access creation is mandatory in patients with end stage renal disease for hemodialysis treatment. It frequently involves upper arm or axillary dissection and general anesthesia is predominantly used as axillary compartment innervation is complex. Avoiding general anesthesia may be beneficial in these risk patients. We present two cases where serratus-intercostal plane block (SIPB/BRILMA) was used, along with ultrasound guided supraclavicular block and multimodal analgesia for proximal arm and axillary AV access surgery. Regional anesthesia combination of supraclavicular and serratus-intercostal/BRILMA block in arteriovenous fistula surgery was successful and should be considered by anesthesiologist in order to avoid general anesthesia.

Traditionally, the indication of the type of vascular access (VA) has been based on the surgeon\'s physical examination, but it is now suggested that imaging methods could provide a clinical benefit. Our aim was to determine whether or not preoperative Doppler ultrasound modifies outcomes of the first VA for haemodialysis.
Prospective cohort of patients undergoing a first VA from June 2014 to July 2017 who had a preoperative Doppler ultrasound (ECO group). They were compared to a historical cohort (January 2012-May 2014) of first VA indicated exclusively by clinical assessment (CLN group).
A total of 86 patients from the CLN group were compared to 92 from the ECO group, which was younger (68.4 vs 64.0, P=.038). The primary patency (CLN/ECO) at 1 and 2years was 59.5%/71.9% and 53.1%/57.8% respectively, marginally better in the ECO group (P=.057). The assisted patency at 1 and 2years was 63.2%/80.7% and 58.1%/70.2%, respectively, significantly better for the ECO group (P=.010). Due to lack of patency/utility of the initial VA, 26.7% in the CLN group and 7.6% in the ECO group (P<.001) required a new VA during the first 6months. An average of 1.39 interventions were performed to achieve a useful VA in the CLN group and 1.08 in the ECO group (P<.001), the first VA being useful at the radiocephalic level in 31.0%/45.1% (P=.039).
The indication of the first VA according to a preoperative Doppler ultrasound examination could decrease the need for new VA, enable them to be made more distal, and significantly improve patency.