Performing chronic hemodialysis in patients suffering from end-stage renal disease needs a suitable vascular access like arteriovenous fistula in the upper limbs and bridge fistula in the upper or lower limbs, and also use of permanent and temporary catheters. The purpose of this study is to compare frozen saphenous vein versus using synthetic Gore-tex vascular graft for A-V fistula. In the prospective randomized study, 70 patients needing for dialysis access were randomly divided into two groups. We performed the frozen saphenous vein A-V fistula in the test group and the Gore-tex fistula in the control group. An assessment included function criteria (fistula thrill and murmur) and complications (infection and thrombosis) in planned intervals. At the end of the follow-up period, the flow rates of all fistulas were assessed by Doppler sonography. The data were compared. Comparing the function criteria (fistula murmur and thrill) and the flow rate of the test group (frozen saphenous A-V fistula) and the control group (Gore-tex method) showed no significant difference and also no significant difference between two groups in thrombosis. Infection rate of the Gore-tex method was significantly high (p < 0.05). Arteriovenous fistula was an acceptable alternative in chronic hemodialysis, and frozen saphenous vein arteriovenous fistula was superior to Gore-tex arteriovenous graft in some aspects.
© 2011 The Authors; Hemodialysis International © 2011 International Society for Hemodialysis.