ARTERIO-VENOUS GRAFT PROCEDURES FOR HEMODIALYSIS BY USING POLYTETRAFLOUROETHYLENE GRAFTS

Polytetratlouroethylene (PTFE) grafts are the most popular prosthetic grafts tor chronic hemodialysis patients in whom native arterio-venous (A-V) tistulas cannot be constructed. in the Department ot Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Firat University, Medical School, from January 1997 to December 1999, 20 patients without available pe­ ripheric vasculature tor direct arteriovenous fistulas underwent a bridge A-V fistula procedure The mean tollow-up was 19.1 months. The primary, secondary cumulative patency and other complications in 6 mm stretch PTFE grafts were prospectively evaluated. The 1-year primary patency rate was 74 %, 1-year secondary patency rate was 77 %. Gratt infection was seen in one patient and this graft was exiced as primary therapy. it is concluded that PTFE dialy­ sis grafts can be used tor chronic hemodialysis access as an alternative procedure.