Early result of arteriovenous graft with deep forearm veins as an outflow in hemodialysis patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the result of arteriovenous (A-V) grafting with the deep forearm veins as an outflow system in hemodialysis patients. Between June 1999 and July 2001, 27 A-V grafts consisting of ePTFE and deep forearm veins were constructed in 26 patients. All patients followed up for assessment of all relevant values, and the median follow-up period was 17.3 months. Seven grafts (26%) failed during the follow-up. The patency rates were 93% and 80% at 3 months and 12 months, respectively. No difference in patency rate was found between males and females, or between diabetics and nondiabetics. Graft-related complications, excluding graft thrombosis, occurred in five patients. These included operative wound dehiscence in two cases, a graft infection, a seroma, and a mild hypoperfusion in the hand. We conclude that the early patency rate of A-V graft using the forearm deep veins as an outflow system is very good and that this technique may be a recommended surgical modality for vascular access in patients with exhausted superficial veins.