Predictors of early failure and secondary patency in native arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis.

Background: Native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is considered the gold standard of vascular access for hemodialysis due to its longer survival, fewer complications, lower mortality and costs. Patency is important for effective dialysis treatment and this remains a challenge in nephrology. There are no well-defined prognostic factors for early and long-term AVF survival.