Catheters Are the Most Common Vascular Access Type after Renal Allograft Failure

ORLANDO, Fla.—Central venous catheters (CVCs) are the most prevalent access type in patients who initiate hemodialysis (HD) following a failed renal transplant, a study found.

The study, by Karn Gupta, MD, and collaborators at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, included 104 patients who started HD after renal allograft failure. At one month, 47.2% had a CVC compared with 15.3% with an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and 13.9% with an arteriovenous graft (AVG). At three months, 41.4% had a CVC, 15.7% had an AVF, 18.6% had an AVG, and 11.4% were started on peritoneal dialysis.

“These results emphasize the need for early recognition and acceptance of a failing renal transplant and need for earlier referral for access placement,” the authors concluded in a poster presented here at the National Kidney Foundation’s 2010 Spring Clinical Meetings.

From the June 01, 2010 Issue of Renal and Urology News