Safety and efficacy of polyurethane vascular grafts for early hemodialysis access.

Background: Arteriovenous grafts made of polyurethane (PU) have the advantage of early cannulation obviating the placement of a central vein catheter in patients with an acute need for long-term hemodialysis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy and complication rate of PU vascular grafts for dialysis access in patients in whom early cannulation was performed.

Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2015, 125 straight brachial-axillary grafts were placed in patients with an acute thrombosis of a previous arteriovenous access.