Changes in vascular access profile for pediatric hemodialysis patients over time: A registry-based study from Catalonia.

Background: The criteria for vascular access (VA) selection in pediatric hemodialysis (HD) population has changed over time until the current patient-centered approach using the individualized Life-Plan. We analyzed the type of VA used by incident and prevalent end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) pediatric patients (pts) treated with HD in Catalonia.

Method: Data from the Catalan Renal Registry of ESKD pts under 18 years of age undergoing kidney replacement therapy (KRT) were examined for a 22-year period (1997-2018).

Haemodialysis access profile in failed kidney transplant patients: Analysis of data from the Catalan Renal Registry (1998-2016).

Background: Data about vascular access (VA) use in failed kidney transplant (KT) patients returning to haemodialysis (HD) are limited. We analysed the VA profile of these patients, the factors associated with the likelihood of HD re-initiation through fistula (AVF) and the effect of VA in use at the time of KT on kidney graft (KTx) outcome.

Method: Data from the Catalan Registry on failed KT patients restarting HD and incident HD patients with native kidney failure were examined over an 18-year period.

Effect of kidney transplantation activity on arteriovenous fistula use in prevalent haemodialysis patients: A registry-based study.

Background: Kidney transplantation (KT) is considered to be the best kidney replacement therapy (KRT) option for most end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is considered to be the best vascular access (VA) for most haemodialysis (HD) patients. In this study, we investigated the effect of KT activity on AVF use in prevalent HD patients.

Is fetuin-A a biomarker of dialysis access dysfunction?

Background: The arteriovenous (AV) access function of hemodialysis (HD) patients can be impaired by afferent artery stiffness due to preexisting microcalcification and by venous stenosis secondary to neointimal hyperplasia in whose development participates an upregulated local inflammatory process. Fetuin-A is a circulating potent inhibitor of vascular calcification and plays an important anti-inflammatory role. The aims of this prospective study were to investigate the relationship between baseline serum fetuin-A levels and: blood flow (Q) values at baseline, AV access failure (thrombosis or intervention for stenosis) during follow-up and primary unassisted AV access patency.