Comparison of Complications of Arteriovenous Fistula with Permanent Catheter in Hemodialysis Patients: A Six-month Follow-up

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF), permanent catheter (PC), and vascular graft are three vascular access types used for hemodialysis procedure. Due to insufficient reliable information on the comparison between AVF and PC, this study was conducted to compare AVF and PC regarding dialysis adequacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was carried out from March, 2013 to September, 2013. In this study, 76 hemodialysis patients were enrolled and assigned to two unequal groups of AVF and PC. Before and after the dialysis session, blood samples were taken for laboratory examinations and measurement of urea reduction ratio (URR) and Kt/V. The patients were followed up for six months, and then laboratory examinations were repeated. RESULTS: Of the 76 hemodialysis patients, 30 had AVF and others PC. During the 6-month follow-up, 24 patients in PC group but only one patient in AVF group showed infection (P = 0.006), while in each group, three cases of thrombosis were seen (P = 0.58); however, catheter dysfunction was seen in 13 patients of PC group but no patients of AVF group (P = 0.004). There was no difference between the two groups in Kt/V and URR at the beginning of the study; however, after six months, Kt/V and URR were greater in AVF group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to some advantages of AVF over PC, such as lower rate of infection and thrombosis, we also found better dialysis adequacy in AVF group. We recommend that AVF be created in all of patients with chronic kidney disease who are candidates for hemodialysis.