Reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism following superficial endovenous treatment: A UK and Republic of Ireland consensus study.

Objectives: Venous thromboembolism is a potentially fatal complication of superficial endovenous treatment. Proper risk assessment and thromboprophylaxis could mitigate this hazard; however, there are currently no evidence-based or consensus guidelines. This study surveyed UK and Republic of Ireland vascular consultants to determine areas of consensus.

Development of an objective, standardized tool for surgical assessment of deceased donor kidneys: The Cambridge Kidney Assessment Tool.

Quality assessment in kidney transplantation involves inspection to identify negative markers of organ quality. However, there is a paucity of evidence guiding surgical appraisal, and currently there is no evidence to differentiate important features from those that can be safely ignored. We propose a method to standardize surgical assessment and derived a simple rule to rapidly identify kidneys suitable for transplantation.

Survival advantage for patients accepting the offer of a circulatory death liver transplant.

Background & Aims: Donation after circulatory death (DCD) in the UK has tripled in the last decade. However, outcomes following DCD liver transplantation are worse than for donation after brainstem death (DBD) liver transplants. This study examines whether a recipient should accept a "poorer quality" DCD organ or wait longer for a "better" DBD organ.

Outcomes of primary arteriovenous fistulas in patients older than 70 years.

Background: The population of elderly hemodialysis patients is increasing, yet the most suitable approach for providing permanent hemodialysis access remains unclear. Here we report outcomes using an approach aimed predominantly at creating radiocephalic (RC) fistulas.

Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was performed in which access outcomes for primary arteriovenous fistulas created between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2012, in patients aged 70 years or older were compared.

Tattoo of vascular cannulation site as a self-cannulation aid.

Background: Haemodialysis can be provided either in a healthcare setting or home environment. Patients receiving dialysis at home report a better quality of life. Patients or their carers must be able to cannulate their fistula confidently and independently when dialysing at home.

Ankle fistula as the last resort for vascular access: case report and literature review.

Purpose: For the majority of patients with end-stage renal failure, renal replacement therapy in the form of dialysis offers the only means of life prolongation. Survival times on haemodialysis have improved, and consequently, patent vascular access is required for an increasing period of time. Upper extremity options for arteriovenous placement are increasingly being exhausted, leading to creation of fistulae in the lower extremities.