Vascular access for hemodialysis: creation, functioning, and complications (data of the Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine).

Background: There are no data about arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) formation, survival, and complications rate in patients with end-stage renal failure in Lithuania.

Material And Methods: We analyzed the data of patients (N=272) with end-stage renal failure, dialyzed at the Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine from January 1, 2000, until March 30, 2010, and identified 368 cases of AVF creation. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included the patients with an AVF that functioned for <15 months (n=138) and group 2 included patients with an AVF that functioned for ≥15 months (n=171).

[Creation of arteriovenous fistulas for chronic hemodialysis in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital during 2005-2006].

We analyzed case histories of 299 patients with end-stage renal failure, hospitalized in our hospital for the creation of an arteriovenous fistula for chronic hemodialysis. Demographic data, indications for the creation of an arteriovenous fistula, laboratory data, and duration of hospitalization were analyzed. RESULTS.

[Early thrombosis of radiocephalic fistula in patients on chronic hemodialysis (results of Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital 2000-2003)].

In 2000-2003 surgeons performed 616 surgeries on arterio-venous access formation, more than 30% of them were radiocephalic. In 36.9% of cases of radiocephalic fistula early thrombotic complications developed (during the first month after operation) and a new access creation was needed.

[Development of hemodialysis service in Lithuania during (1996-2003)].

The aim of our study was to evaluate the changes of hemodialysis (HD) service and main demographic characteristics of HD patients in Lithuania during seven years period. From 1996 to 2003 we visited annually all HD centers in Lithuania and collected data about all HD patients. There was a sharp increase in the number of HD centers (from 17 to 37), HD stations (from 25 p.

[Problems of arterio-venous access at the start of hemodialysis (results of Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital 1998-2002)].

In 1998-2002 there were 93 patients, who started hemodialysis in Hemodialysis unit at Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital. According to start of hemodialysis all patients were divided into two groups: first group--patients (n=58, 62.3% ), who started hemodialysis through central venous catheter; second group--patients (n=35, 37.