Nephrology Partnership for Advancing Technology in Healthcare (N-PATH) Erasmus+ project: The Renal Expert in Vascular Access (REVAC) module.

The Renal Expert in Vascular Access (REVAC) is one of the four modules of the Nephrology Partnership for Advancing Technology in Healthcare (N-PATH) project, the first European-wide advanced training course in diagnostics and interventional nephrology, funded by Erasmus+ Knowledge Alliance, a European Commission program. The N-PATH primary goal was to train 40 young European nephrologists in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to interventional nephrology. The REVAC module focused on the crucial aspects of vascular access (VA) care in nephrology practice, as a complementary training path to the actual residency program.

Insights into the real-world practice of vascular access care pathways in Italy: data from a national survey.

Background: International guidelines issued recommendations for vascular access (VA) care for hemodialysis, but there are no registry data regarding this topic in Italy.

Methods: A survey consisting of 17 items was sent to all Italian dialysis wards, via the Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN) website, from April to June 2021. The items were defined, discussed and approved by experts in vascular access management within the Italian Society of Nephrology.

Vascular access for hemodialysis in Italy: What a national survey reveals.

Background: Since in Italy there are no official data on vascular access (VA) for hemodialysis the Vascular Access Project Group (VAPG) of the Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN) designed a national survey.

Methods: A 35-question survey was designed and sent it to the Italian facilities through the SIN website. The basic questions were the prevalence, the location, and the surveillance of VA, the bedside use of ultrasound, the use of fluoroscopy for central venous catheter (CVC) placement, and of buttonhole technique, the role of nephrologist in the access creation.

[The Cannulation of the Arteriovenous Fistula in the Presence of a Stent: Precautions, Risks, and Possibilities].

A proper management and tailored interventions represented two fundamental steps to ensure a long-term use of the arteriovenous fistula (AVF). AVF failure can be attributed to various factors, with stenosis being the most common cause. Different techniques are employed for treating complications, but percutaneous endovascular procedures are the most widely used.

Report on an Italian survey of 72 stuck hemodialysis catheters.

Background: Reports of stuck hemodialysis catheters have been on the rise in recent years. Aim of this work is to report how this complication has been managed and the relative outcomes in a multicente Italian survey.

Methods: Since 2012, the Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN) Project Group of Vascular Access has collected data among nephrologists on this complication.