Patient education level affects functionality and long term mortality after major lower extremity amputation.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between patient education level and 5-year mortality after major lower extremity amputation.

Methods: The records of all patients who underwent above-knee or below-knee amputation at the Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center by the vascular surgery service between January 2000 and August 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Formal levels of education of the study patients were recorded.

Improvements in dialysis access survival with increasing use of arteriovenous fistulas in a Veterans Administration medical center.

Background: Native arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) have been found to exhibit higher survival rates and lower complication rates than prosthetic grafts (AVGs).

Methods: Between August 2001 and December 2003, 93 patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) had primary dialysis access placed at a single Veterans Administration medical center. Of these 93 patients, 67 had AVFs created and 26 patients had AVGs implanted.

Living donor kidney transplantation in a Veterans Administration medical center.

Background: A shortage of organ donors remains the major limiting factor in kidney transplantation. Living donor renal transplantation, especially living-unrelated donors, may expand the donor pool by providing another source of excellent grafts.

Methods: Between 1983 and 2003, 109 living donor kidney transplants were performed.

A pilot protocol of a calcineurin-inhibitor free regimen for kidney transplant recipients of marginal donor kidneys or with delayed graft function.

Unlabelled: The worsening shortage of cadaver donor kidneys has prompted use of expanded or marginal donor kidneys (MDK), i.e. older age or donor history of hypertension or diabetes.