Background: An Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a creation of the natural blood vessels. It is a "gate of life" for the patients on hemodialysis.
Aim: The study aimed to analyze the predictors for primary failure of AVF such as gender, age, number and location of AVF, and primary renal disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4/5.
Material and methods: The medical records of 178 created arteriovenous fistulae in patients with CKD stage 4/5, were retrospectively studied. Primary failure of AVF was defined as thrombosis or inability for cannulation of AVF within 3 months. Adequate maturation of AVF was defined as successful cannulation of AVF treatment and blood flow of > 600 ml/min.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.75 ± 14.65 years, and 65.16% (116/178) were men. Adequate maturation of AVF was achieved in 83.71% (149/178). Primary failure of AVF occurred in 16.29% (29/178) of the created fistulae, while 10.11% (18/178) had early thrombosis. The distal arteriovenous fistulae were significantly more frequently created in male patients (51 vs 18; p = 0.015). The female patients were significantly older than the male patients (63.27 vs 57.86 years; p = 0.018).
Conclusion: Male gender was associated with better maturation of AVF. The age, number and location of AVF, and primary renal disease in patients with CKD stage 4/5 were not associated with primary failure of AVF.
Keywords: Arteriovenous fistula; Chronic kidney disease; Doppler ultrasound; Hemodialysis; Primary failure.