Short and Long Term Complications of Arteriovenous Fistulae Created for Hemodialysis

Objective: The patients with chronic renal insufficiency need long term patency of arteriovenous (AV) fistulae for hemodialysis. The aim of this study was to identify the early-and latestage complications after AV fistula operations. Material and Methods: This study was performed retrospectively in the Clinic of Cardiovascular Surgery , and included 1454 patients who had undergone AV fistula operation between October 2005 and January 2014. Group 1 had a re-intervention in the early stage, and group 2 had a re-intervention in the late stage. Results: Thrombosis (n=180), bleeding (n=70) and hematoma (n=11) developed in the early stage. In the late stage, aneurysm (n=52), stenosis or thrombosis (n=62), overflow AV fistulas (n=22), arterial steal syndrome (n=11), and infection (n=10) developed. Conclusion: The rate of short term fistula thrombosis may be minimized with effective anastomosis techniques, surgical experience, anti-aggregant and anticoagulant use, and creation of fistula between suitable vascular structures.