Abstract
Between January l996 and December 1997, 80HDS® vascular access grafts were implanted in end stage renal failure patients (male/female: 33/47, average age of 59years, diabetes mellitus in39%). The mean duration of hemodialysis at the time of implantation was 3.8 years, and the mean number of previous vascular access procedures was 2.8. Eight grafts were implanted in the forearm, 14 in the form of antecubital jump bypass, 57 in the up Perarm, and l between the brachial artery and the axillary vein. Thirty four grafts were cannulated within 1 week after implantation. The hemostasis after cessation of cannulation was carried out with in 15 minutes in almost all cases. Thrombosis occurred 18 times in 15 grafts, venous stenosis 9 times in 7 grafts, infection 6 times in 6 grafts, graft exposure 8 times in 5 grafts, and seroma 3 times in 2 grafts. The primary patency rates were 63.8% at l year and 53.3% at 2 years. These ondary patency rates were 81.3% at 1 year and 78.3% at 2 years. We conclude that early cannulation of the HDS® graft can be performed safely, and also that the medium term patency rate of the graft is satisfacto.
